Norwegian Ambassador Bjørnar Dahl Hotvedt is visiting Huambo and the Lobito Corridor from today until the 3rd, as part of a delegation of ambassadors from the United States and several European countries.
This visit focuses on assessing Angola’s agricultural potential, with particular attention to how the Lobito Corridor can facilitate the export of Angolan products to Norway.
In a statement from the Norwegian embassy, the ambassador explained that Angola’s vast, fertile lands and favorable climatic conditions present an excellent opportunity for agricultural exports.
“Only about three percent of Norway’s land is suitable for agriculture, while Angola has vast stretches of fertile land ideal for a wide range of agricultural products that are in high demand in Norway.
The Lobito Corridor is key to this, and I hope to see many Angolan products in Norwegian supermarkets in the coming years,” Hotvedt said.
The Lobito Corridor, a key transport route linking Angola to the sea, is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing trade and boosting the agricultural sector.
By improving access to international markets, this corridor can support Angola’s ambitions to become a major agricultural exporter.
The strategic location of the corridor makes it a crucial infrastructure for facilitating the flow of goods between Angola and global markets, including Norway.
In contrast, Norway’s agricultural sector faces challenges due to limited arable land and short growing seasons, with adverse weather conditions affecting crop yields.
Therefore, Angola’s potential to export tropical fruits and vegetables, such as those already in high demand in Europe, is significant.
Agricultural products like potatoes, onions, carrots, and apples are crucial to Norway, but the country is not self-sufficient in these goods.
Currently, much of these products are imported from Latin America, but there is growing potential for Angola to tap into this market. “Agricultural trade between Angola and Norway would bring great benefits to both nations.
Norwegian consumers would access a wider variety of high-quality, nutritious products, while Angola would create more jobs and income, supporting the local economy,” said the ambassador.
In 2024, Norway imported agricultural products worth $12 billion, primarily from European and Latin American countries.
Given Norway’s increasing food import needs and Angola’s favorable conditions, the Lobito Corridor’s strategic importance could significantly boost agricultural exports from Angola to Norway in the years ahead.
While economic relations between the two countries have traditionally focused on the oil sector, Norwegian companies have been involved in Angola’s oil industry for over 30 years.
Now, with growing interest in agricultural trade, the Lobito Corridor could pave the way for expanding the partnership into new sectors, benefiting both nations.
