During her trip to Angola, Administrator Samantha Power announced the expansion of partnerships that demonstrate the strengthening relationship between the United States and Angola.
While at Angola’s Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde (National Health Research Institute), Administrator Power revealed that the USAID-led U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) is broadening its reach for malaria prevention and control activities in Angola, now including the province of Moxico. This initiative provides financial and technical support to assist the Government of the Republic of Angola in implementing proven interventions to combat malaria. Angola faces a high risk of malaria, especially in Moxico, its largest province. The extension of PMI’s coverage to Moxico is backed by a strong commitment from the Angolan government to address key gaps in malaria prevention and treatment in other parts of the country. The collaboration between PMI and Angola has led to a 29% decrease in malaria-related deaths since 2020.
Since 2006, PMI has invested $415 million in Angola, supporting the procurement and distribution of insecticide-treated nets, supplies for malaria diagnosis and treatment, training for health workers, and investments in entomological monitoring and supply chain management.
In Benguela, Administrator Power launched the expansion of the USAID project Women in Angolan Farming, a public-private partnership aimed at empowering women in the agricultural sector to enhance livelihoods and improve food security in rural communities. The program is currently active in six provinces in Angola and with additional funding, it will extend its reach to Cuando Cubango, Benguela, Huambo, and Bié provinces. These provinces are part of the Lobito Corridor, a region being developed to connect the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia to trade markets via railways to the Port of Lobito.
Over 20,000 women smallholder farmers are expected to benefit from this initiative, gaining increased agricultural output and access to essential resources like national identity cards, birth certificates, bank accounts, mobile money services, literacy programs, and land tenure, crucial for inclusive rural development.
Administrator Power also initiated a new partnership with the Ministry of Transport to attract private investment in infrastructure. The collaboration aims to replicate the successful concessions of the Lobito Atlantic Rail and Port in December 2022 and March 2024 respectively, through transparent and competitive procurements in infrastructure.
This partnership between USAID and the Angolan Ministry of Transport aligns with the Angolan government’s objective of promoting similar procurements to attract private investment in infrastructure across the country, reducing reliance on debt financing. These investments are anticipated to create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the Lobito Corridor and beyond.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United States Agency for International Development (USAID).