As Angola marks 50 years of independence from Portuguese colonial rule, the southern African nation stands at a pivotal point — not only as a resource powerhouse but also as a potential driver of the continent’s digital and sustainable transformation.
Blessed with abundant oil, minerals, and diamonds, Angola’s natural wealth has long defined its economic landscape. Yet, five decades after independence, the nation of 39 million is increasingly looking beyond its extractive industries toward a more diversified, resilient future.
According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) data, Angola’s GDP has risen sharply from $66.5 billion in 2020 to $115 billion in 2025, with projections suggesting it could reach $139 billion by 2030.
Despite this impressive growth, Angola’s economy has historically been at the mercy of oil price volatility — with oil still accounting for 95% of exports and nearly 29% of GDP, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB). But that narrative is slowly shifting.
Last year, Angola recorded 4.4% economic growth, driven largely by expansion in non-oil sectors. Agriculture and fisheries, for instance, have more than doubled in output since 2010, now representing 14.9% of the economy.
As diversification accelerates, renewable energy has become one of Angola’s most ambitious and inspiring frontiers. Under its 2027 Energy Roadmap, the government aims for 73% clean energy generation and a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions — goals that could reshape both its economy and energy accessibility.
Currently, only 51% of Angolans have access to electricity, according to World Bank data. To bridge this gap, the country is investing heavily in infrastructure — including a landmark $1.5 billion cross-border energy project with U.S.-based HYDRO-LINK, announced in Washington earlier this year.
The initiative will establish a 1,150-kilometer transmission line linking Angola with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by 2029. Powered by the Laúca Hydropower Plant on the Kwanza River, the line will deliver 1,200 megawatts of electricity to millions across both nations.
This forward-looking mindset — building coverage, expanding reach, and reinforcing resilience — seems to encapsulate Angola’s new economic philosophy.
While challenges remain and progress will take time, the nation’s commitment to renewables, agriculture, and infrastructure underscores a broader vision: a future where Angola’s prosperity is powered not just by its resources, but by its innovation and inclusion.
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