Luanda, Feb. 24, 2026 (Lusa) - The Angolan government acknowledged on Tuesday that the challenges for modernising and improving the efficiency of the country's borders "are vast", advocating the construction of integrated infrastructure, technological transformation and joint surveillance and control operations as priority actions.
According to Angola's minister of finance, Vera Daves de Sousa, the challenges facing the modernisation and efficiency of Angola's borders "are vast", but, she noted, "the progress already made and the collective determination to continue with focus, institutional discipline and strategic vision are equally undeniable".
Speaking at the opening of the VI Meeting of Ministers and Heads of Bodies of Angola's Coordinated Border Management Committee (CGCF), which is taking place today in Luanda, the minister said that the CGCF's future agenda should focus "as a priority" on four structural axes.
The leader of this committee, created in 2020, listed the construction of integrated infrastructure, technological transformation, continuous training of human resources and joint surveillance and control operations as priority actions on the CGCF's agenda.
Vera Daves de Sousa pointed out that the structural actions of this body should include the construction and refurbishment of border posts, based on the Integrated Border Post model, equipped with work areas, accommodation, canteens and other decent working and accommodation conditions for staff.
In the field of technological transformation, she advocated the integration and interconnection of the IT systems of the various bodies, with a view to promoting the exchange of information, data cross-referencing and risk- and intelligence-based management.
"As well as the incorporation of modern surveillance and automatic tracking solutions for people and goods," she emphasised, advocating joint inspection and control operations through the intensification of actions to prevent, repress and combat border and cross-border infringements.
"With a special focus on smuggling and illegal immigration, areas where encouraging results are already being seen," she said.
According to the Angolan minister, the CGCF's actions aim to ensure progressively simpler and less bureaucratic services, with a direct impact on the speed of movement of people and goods, reducing the costs of foreign trade, improving the migration system and strengthening Angola's image in the regional and international arena.
In Vera Daves de Sousa's view, 2026 should mark a decisive stage in the materialisation of a new paradigm for the committee, noting that the Luvo Border Post, recently inaugurated in the Angolan province of Zaire, "is the pilot project and national standard for the integrated model".
The CGCF is a policy instrument of the Angolan government in the areas of trade facilitation, smooth and safe mobility, as well as the prevention and combating of illegal activities associated with the entry, transit and exit of people, goods and means of transport in Angolan territory.
Since its creation, the minister of finance stressed, this body has achieved "remarkable levels" of institutional consolidation, visible in the strengthening of the spirit of unity, cohesion and cooperation among its member bodies.
The meeting, which is taking place at the headquarters of the ministry of the interior, assesses the degree of implementation of the 2025 tasks, the proposed National Strategy for Coordinated Border Management and the annual activity plan for 2026.
DAS/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
