Ambassador Agostinho Van-Dúnem details the strategic shift in Angola’s mission to Washington as the nation marks 50 years of independence.
As Angola marks the 50th anniversary of its independence, its engagement with the United States has entered a more structured and strategic phase. In Washington, bilateral relations have expanded across political dialogue, economic cooperation, and regional security, reflecting a partnership increasingly shaped by predictability and defined priorities.
In this interview conducted at the Embassy of Angola in Washington, D.C., Agostinho de Carvalho dos Santos Van-Dúnem, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the United States, discusses the current state of Angola–U.S. relations and the direction of future cooperation. He outlines how the Embassy is advancing economic diplomacy in sectors such as critical minerals, energy, logistics infrastructure, agriculture, and the digital economy, while also addressing the strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor for regional integration.
The conversation also covers Angola’s approach to energy policy, cultural diplomacy, diaspora engagement, and its role in promoting regional stability, offering a clear view of how Angola is positioning itself in Washington at a period of intensified diplomatic engagement.
Angola’s Ambassador to the United States, Agostinho de Carvalho dos Santos Van-Dúnem, delivers a message to Angolans in the diaspora and young Angolans, encouraging active engagement, responsibility, and continued contribution to Angola’s national development. Part of the message… pic.twitter.com/4h2fA27E3M
— DiplomaticWatch (@Diplo_Watch) December 24, 2025
Your Excellency, the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Angola’s Independence brought new visibility to the country in Washington. How would you describe the current pace of relations between Angola and the United States and what recent developments give you confidence in the direction taken by both countries?
The celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Independence made it possible to highlight not only Angola’s historical trajectory, but also the solidity of its international positioning, particularly in its relationship with the United States. The current pace of bilateral relations can be described as predictable, structured and guided by clear strategic objectives.
From the point of view of the Diplomatic Mission’s Work Program, this relationship is based on three fundamental pillars: regular high-level political dialogue, deepening economic cooperation and convergence on regional stability and security issues. The strengthening of institutional coordination mechanisms, the active involvement of US development finance agencies and the enhancement of Angola’s role as a credible regional partner provide a solid and sustainable basis for the bilateral relationship.
The Angolan economy has been opening up new opportunities beyond the traditionally known sectors. From your contacts in Washington, which areas arouse the greatest interest from US partners and how has the Embassy contributed to consolidating this interest?
Economic diversification is a central axis of the Work Program of the Diplomatic Mission in Washington. In this context, we have observed a growing interest from US partners in sectors aligned with Angola’s strategic priorities, namely critical minerals, energy, logistics infrastructures, commercial agriculture, industrial transformation and services associated with the digital economy.
The Embassy acts as a platform for active economic diplomacy, promoting contacts between investors, financial institutions and Angolan government entities, as well as monitoring structuring projects from the conceptual stage. This work aims to ensure that the interest expressed translates into investments with a real impact on the diversification of the economy, job creation and integration of Angola into regional and global value chains.
The Lobito Corridor project has deserved great international prominence. From your point of view in Washington, what does this project represent for Angola’s regional positioning and where do you identify greater opportunities for cooperation with the United States?
The Lobito Corridor occupies a central place in the Work Program of the Diplomatic Mission as it is a strategic instrument of economic foreign policy and regional integration. From Washington, the project is clearly perceived as a catalyst for development, stability and economic interconnectedness between Angola, the Great Lakes region and global markets.
For the United States, the Corridor offers concrete opportunities in areas such as infrastructure financing, multimodal logistics, local transformation of critical minerals, energy supply, and institutional capacity building. At the same time, it reinforces Angola’s role as an Atlantic liaison, a reliable partner and an actor committed to regional stability and shared prosperity.
Angola’s energy policy reflects both accumulated experience and vision for the future. How do you communicate this balanced approach to international partners seeking long-term stability and predictability?
Angola’s energy approach, as defined in the Mission’s Work Program, is based on a logic of strategic continuity coupled with a responsible energy transition. Angola values its consolidated experience in the oil and gas sector, recognizing its central role in macroeconomic stability, while consistently investing in strengthening renewable energy and modernizing the electricity sector.
This narrative of gradual and realistic transition is communicated to partners as a sign of predictability, seriousness and commitment to sustainable solutions. It is a vision that responds to global sustainability requirements without compromising energy security, creating an environment of confidence for medium and long-term investments.
The cultural dimension has gained greater visibility in the Embassy’s work, through community and artistic initiatives. What importance do you attach to cultural diplomacy and what are the plans for strengthening it?
Culture is an essential dimension of contemporary diplomacy. Through music, arts, literature and contact with communities, we are able to project a more human, diverse and authentic image of Angola.
We intend to strengthen this aspect through partnerships with cultural institutions, universities and diaspora associations, expanding the spaces for the dissemination of Angolan culture. Cultural diplomacy complements political and economic diplomacy, creating lasting ties based on mutual knowledge.
The Angolan diaspora in North America has been increasingly asserting itself. What concrete measures has the Embassy taken to encourage their participation in national development?
The Angolan diaspora represents a strategic asset of great value. He has technical skills, professional networks and a deep sense of belonging to the country. The Embassy promotes the involvement of the diaspora through dialogue forums, business initiatives, cultural events and liaison mechanisms with national institutions.
Our objective is to facilitate their participation in investment projects, knowledge transfer, and the promotion of Angola’s image, while recognizing the contribution they can make to national development.
Angola has played an important role in promoting regional dialogue and cooperation. How do you use your position in Washington to strengthen that role and mobilize international partners?
The strengthening of Angola’s regional role is a structuring axis of the Diplomatic Mission’s Work Program. Washington offers a privileged platform to project and value Angola’s contribution to peace, political mediation and regional economic integration.
The Mission actively works with U.S. authorities, think tanks, and multilateral partners to demonstrate that Angola’s initiatives in the region—including mediation processes and economic integration projects—contribute directly to stability, security, and sustainable growth. This approach aligns Angola’s regional interests with international partnerships that enhance peace and shared prosperity.
With a long diplomatic experience, what lessons from your career continue to guide your work, particularly in representing Angola in a diverse international context?
Throughout my diplomatic career, I have learned that listening is as important as talking. Understanding the context, respecting differences and acting with coherence and credibility are essential elements of diplomacy.
Representing Angola in an environment as diverse as Washington’s requires clarity of vision, firmness in principles and confidence in our own national narrative. These values continue to guide my daily action.
