Welcome to the United Nations
Voluntary National Review II of Angola 2025
Main Messages
In 2025, Angola will celebrate 50 years of independence and, for the second time, present its Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, reaffirming its commitment to the voluntary and participatory monitoring and review of its progress. Under the leadership of His Excellency, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, and with the support of the United Nations System in Angola, a VNR platform was established, bringing together the National Institute of Statistics, civil society, academia, and the private sector.
Highlights
Angola has undertaken profound structural reforms aimed at consolidating the democratic rule of law and paving the path for inclusive and sustainable development. Efforts to combat corruption, strengthen macroeconomic stability, and promote social development are key pillars of this transformation. Several important legal instruments have been approved, notably the National Strategy for the Prevention and Repression of Corruption and the establishment of the National Observatory Against Illegal Immigration and the Illicit Trade of Mineral Resources.
As a result of economic reforms geared towards diversifying the economic structure, Angola has experienced sustained and inclusive growth. A key priority has been to enhance food and nutrition security and strengthen human capital development. In 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.4%, the highest growth rate in the past decade. In the social sector, the government approved the National Human Capital Development Plan, aimed at aligning education and vocational training with national labor market needs.
The country has also made significant investments in the social sector. In health, investments have led to reductions in maternal and infant mortality and lower fertility rates among women of reproductive age. In education, the number of schools has grown to around 12,547, covering primary, secondary, and school campuses and serving more than 9 million students.
At the regional level, Angola has continued to demonstrate a firm commitment to peace, stability, and regional integration in Africa. The country played a vital role in regional efforts to end the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and chaired the African Union Peace and Security Council, leading important discussions on continental peace and security issues.
Challenges and Opportunities
The progress achieved so far further encourages Angola to address persistent challenges with determination. The government will strengthen the social protection network through initiatives such as the Integrated Local Development and Poverty Reduction Programme and the Social Protection Strengthening Programme (Kwenda). At the same time, Angola will continue promoting sustained economic growth by investing in infrastructure to support the productive sector—most notably the Lobito Corridor, a key driver of regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
To address the effects of climate change, Angola will continue implementing its National Climate Change Strategy and drought mitigation programs, with a particular focus on enhancing climate resilience in the southern region of the country.
Path Forward
Angola’s economic diplomacy must maintain its momentum, especially as the country assumes the Presidency of the African Union, a strategic opportunity to strengthen its leadership at the continental level in a context marked by global uncertainty. Domestically, continued improvements in governance, greater efficiency in public administration, and sustained commitment to structural reforms will be essential to ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth, positioning Angola as a resilient and competitive nation.
