Angolan President João Lourenço has said his country has strengthened its political influence across Africa and the broader world through peace diplomacy, conflict mediation, and the defence of international law. The remarks were delivered on Thursday, 15 October, during his State of the Nation address in Luanda.

In his address, as reported by Jornal de Angola, João Lourenço underscored Angola’s role in promoting dialogue and seeking solutions to international conflicts, grounded in the principles of the United Nations Charter. The head of state said ‘the country has accentuated its political influence in Africa and in the world in general.’

The president argued that this influence is equally reflected in Angola’s growing international projection, demonstrated by the hosting of major events and the reception of high-level foreign dignitaries. These initiatives have, he said, helped cement the country’s presence in the principal forums of diplomatic dialogue and cooperation.

Among the milestones highlighted was the first visit to Angola by a sitting United States president — Joe Biden’s trip from 2 to 4 December 2024. During that visit, Biden travelled to the Port of Lobito, a strategic infrastructure asset central to the development of the Lobito Corridor, which facilitates the transport of goods and minerals across the region.

João Lourenço also cited visits by heads of state and government from Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The president said the presence of these leaders and other prominent figures of international politics has helped raise Angola’s external visibility and deepen its diplomatic relations.

According to João Lourenço, Angola’s rising international profile has also helped the country mobilise financing for strategic projects, with the Lobito Corridor at the forefront. The railway and logistics link is regarded as critical for goods and minerals transport, and as a driver of regional economic and commercial integration.

A further highlight cited was the hosting in Luanda of the 7th African Union-European Union Summit in November 2025. The gathering placed priority Angolan projects on the European agenda, notably the Lobito Corridor, the development of energy infrastructure, and the attraction of investment into the industrial and agricultural sectors.

The president also noted that the 17th US-Africa Business Summit, held in Luanda in June 2025, resulted in financial promises and guarantees totalling five billion dollars for Angola. The funds are earmarked for the expansion of the Lobito Corridor rail network, support for port infrastructure, and the improvement of critical minerals export capacity — underscoring, he said, the role of diplomacy in mobilising financing for strategic projects.