Teodolinda Rosa Rodrigues Coelho, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola in Japan

TOKYO, Sept. 9, 2026 /Kyodo JBN/ --

Teodolinda Rosa Rodrigues Coelho, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola in Japan,　issued the message commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations　between Angola and Japan.

“Dear friends of Angola and Japan, today, September 9, we celebrate with great satisfaction the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Angola and Japan. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect the history of friendship, cooperation, mutual respect, and admiration between our people, as well as to renew our commitment to further deepening our bilateral relations.

Angola and Japan share important values and characteristics, including courage, determination, resilience, and the ability to overcome adversity and turn challenges into opportunities. Our people also value culture, traditions, and the building of societies focused on the development and well-being of their populations.

Over the past few decades, Japan has been an important partner of Angola. In the post-civil war period, our country benefited from Japanese support through humanitarian programs, demining efforts, the rehabilitation and equipping of hospitals—including the Josina Machel Hospital in Luanda—as well as initiatives aimed at social stabilization, the movement of people and goods, and the development of rural agriculture.

The opening of the Angolan Embassy in Japan in November 2000 and the Japanese Embassy in Angola in January 2005 marked a new phase in strengthening diplomatic ties and cooperation between the two countries.

The Japanese cooperation has contributed to the restoration of key infrastructure and development of strategic sectors, including the rehabilitation of textile industrial facilities such as SATEC, Alassola, and Textang II; expansion of communications; modernization of the Port of Namibe and the Sacomar Mining Port and initiatives in the health area, vocational training, energy and water, agriculture, tourism, and technical

assistance.

In the economic sphere, we highlight the Japan–Angola Agreement on the Liberalization, Promotion, and Protection of Investments (ALPPI), entered into force in July 2024, which serves as an important instrument for strengthening legal certainty, promoting investment, and fostering partnerships between companies in both countries.

Angola is committed to diversifying its economy, with a particular focus on agriculture, tourism, industry, trade, and services. In this context, we count on Japan as a strategic partner in promoting investment and creating new opportunities for cooperation.

We also highlight the Lobito Corridor, which is of strategic importance for regional and continental economic integration, as well as the Southern Corridor, linked to the Port of Namibe and the Mocamedes Railway. These infrastructure projects could contribute significantly to African interconnectivity and attracting investment.

On the political and diplomatic front, relations have been strengthened through bilateral consultations and high-level visits. Of particular note are the visits by President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco to Japan in 2019, 2023, and 2025. Participation in TICAD 9 in Yokohama was a particularly significant moment, when the President of Angola, in his capacity as Chairperson-in-Office of the African Union, co-chaired the event with the then Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba.

The future of our relations should prioritize sectors such as tourism, transportation, fisheries, energy and minerals, science and technology, as well as encourage greater participation by Japanese companies in Angola through partnerships and joint ventures.

We also wish to strengthen cultural, academic, and tourism exchanges. The visa waiver for Japanese citizens holding ordinary passports has helped promote tourism between the two countries and increase interest in Angolan heritage, landscapes, cuisine, and beaches.

The 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Angola and Japan represents not only a celebration of the past, but above all an opportunity to renew our commitments and build an even stronger, more dynamic strategic partnership focused on the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Long live the friendship between Angola and Japan!

Thank you very much.”

URL: http:www.angola.or.jp 

Source: Embassy of the Republic of Angola in Japan