Luanda, Sept. 2, 2025 (Lusa) - A French business mission from the energy sector began a visit to Angola this week to assess business opportunities, at a time when French investment in the country exceeds US$18 billion.
"We have a business mission with ten companies. We really want not only to visit, to have contacts, but they are looking to set up here and develop their business in Angola," said the French ambassador to Angola, Sophie Aubert, on Monday evening in Luanda.
"For us it's a very important energy mission," she told journalists, adding that it includes companies mainly linked to the oil sector.
The mission is organised by Business France and EVOLEN, the French association of energy companies, and runs until Friday, in parallel with the Angola Oil&Gas 2025 international conference, which kicks off on Wednesday in Luanda.
The aim is to strengthen the French presence in the Angolan energy sector, with a focus on innovation and decarbonisation.
According to the diplomat, there are currently around 110 to 120 French companies operating in Angola, 65 of which are direct subsidiaries of French groups, with an annual turnover of around six billion euros.
French companies employ around 30,000 people in the country, making them the third largest private employer in Angola, the diplomat said.
The French presence in the Angolan energy sector is led by TotalEnergies, the largest oil company operating in Angola, with holdings in various offshore exploration blocks and strategic gas projects and which is responsible for a large part of French direct investment in the country.
Asked about constraints on the business environment in Angola, Sophie Aubert emphasised the importance of "predictability" and “rapid approval processes” in order to attract more investment.
The business mission also reflects the closer relations between France and Angola, with reciprocal state visits over the last two years and Angola's accession to the International Organisation of La Francophonie (Francophonie) in October 2024.
"France's desire is to have friendly relations with all the countries in Africa, whatever their language," the ambassador emphasised, stressing the "mutual desire to work together".
"That's what's happening with Angola," she emphasised.
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