At least 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the ongoing 5th session of the Nigeria–Angola Bilateral Economic Joint Commission (BEJC), which officially opened on Tuesday, September 9, in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking at the opening session, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the new MoUs mark a turning point in Nigeria-Angola relations, breathing life into previously stalled diplomatic and economic agreements. The session marks the first formal meeting of the commission in over two decades — the last one having taken place in Abuja in 2001.
“The reactivation of the Joint Commission has provided an opportunity to resuscitate moribund bilateral agreements,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, expressing optimism that the renewed cooperation will strengthen domestic institutions, drive economic growth, and promote human capital development across both nations.
The MoUs span a wide range of sectors including:
Security, Defence, and Intelligence Cooperation
Technical Manpower Development
Migration Partnerships
Visa Waiver for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders
Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Correctional Reforms
Higher Education, Youth Development, and Cultural Exchange
Mutual Legal Assistance and Anti-Corruption Initiatives
Mining, Mineral Processing, and Health Sector Collaboration
Public Communication and Media Information Exchange
Two additional Twinning Agreements are also on the table — one between Bayelsa State (Nigeria) and Namibe Province (Angola), and another between Nasarawa State (Nigeria) and Bengo Province (Angola) — aimed at enhancing subnational cooperation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that Nigeria is also proposing collaborations in air transport, including the potential commencement of direct flights by Nigerian carriers to Angola, as well as a draft agreement on eliminating double taxation and preventing tax evasion. Financial discussions are underway between the Central Bank of Nigeria and National Bank of Angola to finalize arrangements allowing Nigerian banks to begin operations in Angola.
To streamline discussions, Nigeria presented four working groups for structured engagement across ministries and agencies:
Diplomatic, Consular, and Migration Group
Defence and Security Group
Economic, Trade, and Investment Group
Natural and Human Resources Development Group
In his welcome address, Domingos Vieira Lopes, Angola’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, hailed the meeting as a milestone in Africa-led diplomacy.
“This is an opportunity to strengthen the ties and diplomatic relationship between African people,” he said. “The new cooperation instruments we sign here will boost mutual development and growth.”
The week-long event concludes on Friday, with final MoU signings and declarations expected to usher in a new phase of cooperation between the two oil-rich nations.
Nigeria, Angola to Sign 15 MoUs as Bilateral Commission Reconvenes After 20 Years
