João Lourenço considers that the investment model concentrated in extractive industries “must become a thing of the past” and calls for new strategic partnerships.
The Angolan and African Union President, João Lourenço, on Sunday called for strengthening the role of the private sector as a partner in the continent’s development, stressing the urgency of Africa no longer being seen only as a supplier of raw materials.
“I have more than enough reasons (…) to invite investors to look at Africa not only as a supplier of raw materials, but as the new frontier for productive transformation, technological innovation, and global competitiveness,” said João Lourenço in New York, at the UN – African Union High-Level Dialogue Roundtable.
The Head of State argued that the investment model focused on extractive industries “must become part of the past” and urged new strategic partnerships, with greater value-added incorporation in agro-industrial chains, mining, and productive transformation sectors.
“Our vision for Africa points to the need and urgency of shifting the focus away from the mere export of raw materials in their unprocessed state,” he stressed, adding that the private sector “plays a central role as a driver of innovation, job creation, and economic diversification, and stands as an indispensable partner in building Africa’s future.”
In his speech, the Angolan President also highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area as “the greatest economic opportunity” of our time, as it brings together more than 1.3 billion consumers and a Gross Domestic Product exceeding three trillion dollars.
For João Lourenço, this framework creates “unique conditions to invest, expand operations, and prosper in safety,” driving industrialization and the retention of wealth within the continent.
The African leader also pointed to the structural reforms underway in several countries, which strengthen the continent’s attractiveness, such as the modernization of infrastructure, economic diversification, and the consolidation of macroeconomic stability—factors that, he said, make Africa “a present reality of opportunities and growth.”
João Lourenço, quoted by Lusa, further stressed that Public-Private Partnerships “play a decisive role” in financing and expanding critical infrastructure in energy, transport, telecommunications, and water, helping ease public budgets and free up resources to tackle social problems.
Forbes África Lusofona , 22/09/2025
