Angola

In a decisive and urgent response to a severe cholera outbreak, health authorities in Angola are gearing up to vaccinate one million individuals, encompassing both children and adults. This strategic initiative aims to thwart the spread of this potentially deadly disease, which has already claimed 59 lives and infected 1,710 people across several provinces. Since the onset of the outbreak in early January 2025, the numbers have been alarming, particularly in Luanda, where 37 cases have been reported. The provinces of Bengo,…

As the curtain drew on the last quarter of the year, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) found itself in the spotlight—quite literally. The organization capped off its busy season with an extraordinary invitation from the White House, asking CCA to join President Biden's official delegation to Angola, his final international sojourn as President. Florie Liser, the President and CEO of CCA, couldn't hide her enthusiasm as she shared this momentous update with members. "I was thrilled to see both Presidents dive into…

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is on the rise across Africa, and health officials are sounding the alarm about the risks of becoming too relaxed. According to a recent update from the World Health Organization (WHO), numerous regions on the continent are grappling with outbreaks linked to several virus variants, or clades. As of December 1, 2024, WHO reported that over 13,000 cases have been confirmed in 20 distinct nations. This report sheds light on the fact that different clades have different modes of transmission. For…

A collaborative effort among various firms has welcomed the arrival of the initial set of 275 container wagons, designed to boost the transport capabilities of the Lobito Corridor project. This ambitious railway initiative stretches from Angola's Lobito port, reaching into the Democratic Republic of Congo and extending to Zambia. Unveiled in 2023 as part of the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, this corridor is backed by both the United States and the European Union. Once fully operational, it…

In the past nine years, Angola has reported a concerning 200 instances of human trafficking. Ana Celeste Januário, the Secretary of State for Human Rights and Citizenship, shared these alarming statistics during a thematic meeting in Luanda focused on the Program for the Promotion of Human Rights. Januário highlighted that the provinces particularly beset by this grave issue include primarily border regions as well as the capital, Luanda. She strongly encouraged citizens to follow established laws and engage in commerce…

The White House has recently disclosed that President Joe Biden is set to embark on a journey to Angola this October, fulfilling a commitment he made to African leaders during the U.S.-Africa summit in 2022. This highly anticipated visit, slated for October 13th to 15th, will provide a platform for dialogue between the U.S. President and Angolan President João Lourenço, focusing on mutual interests and objectives. "We'll be aiming to strengthen our economic partnerships," stated White House Press Secretary Karine…

The U.S. government is gearing up to embark on a significant railway initiative that extends from Angola to the Indian Ocean, passing through Tanzania. This ambitious venture, known as the Lobito Corridor, aims to create vital connections among various African nations, facilitating access to global markets while “bolstering regional trade and stimulating economic advancement.” On her latest visit to the area, Helaina Matza, the U.S. acting Special Coordinator for Partnership on Global Infrastructure and Investment, focused…

President João Lourenço has recently enacted two pieces of legislation that, according to Human Rights Watch, significantly undermine international standards for human rights, particularly in regard to media, expression, and association freedoms.

In Angola, several humanitarian organizations are sounding the alarm. Nearly six million people are on the verge of being depleted due to food shortages in the south of the country, a region affected by the worst drought in forty years, according to the World Food Program (WFP). Cunene and Huila provinces are most affected.…

Our series on resistant women takes us to Gabon to meet descendants of Queen Nzinga. She opposed Portuguese penetration in Angola in the 17th century. As a 43-year-old monarch, she fought hard to defend her kingdom against the slave trade. The fighting was so furious that some people fled Angola to Gabon. Among them, Vungu…