Luanda, April 16, 2026 (Lusa) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said on Thursday that Angola and the organisation would invest $5 million (€4.1 million) to create the "AgriTech Timbuktoo Angola" Excellence Centre.
The UNDP said in a note that they signed an agreement in Luanda on Wednesday to create the centre. Angola’s government provides $3.5 million (€3 million), while the UNDP provides $1.5 million (€1.2 million). This strategic initiative aims to boost agricultural innovation, promote youth entrepreneurship and accelerate sector value chain transformation.
The centre will involve Angola’s universities, research centres, companies, cooperatives, and startups, promoting cooperation between the public and private sectors in the agricultural, veterinary, and forestry sectors.
Based in Huambo province, the facility would act as a regional agricultural technology hub. It aims to become a "pan-African reference for sustainable farming, green technologies and rural entrepreneurship."
The project, part of the UNDP-led pan-African Timbuktoo platform, positions Angola as a key player in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent.
The note said Angola’s higher education, science, the technology and innovation ministry, agriculture and forestry ministry and the industry and trade ministry coordinate and implement the project alongside the UNDP.
Higher Education Minister Albano Ferreira and UNDP resident representative Denise Antonio signed the document.
The UNDP official said agriculture was always a priority for the country, but the approach was changing.
"By investing in innovation and youth, Angola is taking a decisive step to transform potential into concrete results for people," she said.
The document said the centre would act as a catalyst for a modern agricultural innovation ecosystem, promoting youth entrepreneurship, digital tools and value chain transformation.
Given the country’s high agricultural potential and its strategic position along the Lobito Corridor (a key rail link connecting the African interior to Atlantic ports), the project intends to strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
It will support the development of investment-ready startups and small and medium-sized enterprises and reinforce Angola's integration into regional value chains, including the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The UNDP Africa Timbuktoo initiative uses a systemic approach that joins governments, the private sector, universities and investors through thematic hubs and innovative financing.
Angola is the 11th African country to join the Timbuktoo thematic hubs, leading the AgriTech theme. It is the only Portuguese-speaking country in this network, which includes South Africa, Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt.
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