In a significant diplomatic development, the Republic of Liberia and the Republic of Angola have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors. On the sidelines of the African Union (AU) Summit, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Sara Beysolow Nyanti, held a productive meeting with her Angolan counterpart, Foreign Minister Téte António. Their discussions focused on deepening cooperation in key areas, including maritime affairs, oil and gas exploration, mining, and agriculture. Additionally, both sides agreed to develop and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations and visa free entrance for privileged passports as a starting point. They agreed to establish a Joint Commission, scheduled for May 4-5, 2025, in Luanda, Angola.

Foreign Minister António shared that his outreach to his Liberian counterpart was at the directive of Angolan President João Lourenço, who, upon assuming the AU Chairmanship, requested a status update on bilateral relations. President Lourenço instructed his Foreign Minister to ensure strengthened ties with Liberia building on previous engagements aimed at fostering bilateral cooperation. Both Foreign Ministers acknowledged that the framework for oil and gas has already been discussed and should form the basis for the MoU in that sector. Other sectors will require more discussions at the technical level. Foreign Minister Nyanti conveyed President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s congratulations to President Lourenço on his new role as AU Chairperson. She emphasized Liberia’s eagerness to enhance collaboration with Angola, particularly in areas that promise mutual economic growth. Recognizing the strategic importance of the Atlantic coastline to both nations, the ministers agreed to explore joint initiatives to enhance maritime security, combat piracy, and promote the sustainable development of marine resources and the blue economy.

Liberia also expressed strong interest in leveraging Angola’s extensive expertise in the oil and gas sector. To facilitate technical exchanges and investment opportunities, both nations plan to establish a joint task force focused on hydrocarbon exploration and production. In the mining sector, Liberia and Angola acknowledged the untapped potential for collaboration. They committed to sharing best practices, attracting foreign direct investment, and ensuring the sustainable and ethical extraction of mineral resources. Agriculture, a key pillar of both economies, was another focal point of the discussions. The foreign ministers explored initiatives to boost agricultural productivity through technology transfer, capacity building, and agribusiness ventures aimed at enhancing food security and job creation. These high-level discussions reinforce the mutual commitment to building on this foundation. By fostering collaboration in strategic sectors and implementing policies that facilitate trade and investment, Liberia and Angola are well-positioned to achieve substantial economic growth and contribute to regional stability.