Report on Strategic Agricultural Partnership in Angola to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Development

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been established between Al Dahra, a United Arab Emirates-based agribusiness group, Angola’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MINAGRIF), and the state-owned GESTERRA, Gestão de Terras Aráveis, S.A. This partnership, with a potential investment of US$500 million, represents a significant foreign direct investment aimed at reinforcing Angola’s food security and making substantial contributions to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Project Scope and Objectives

The collaboration is designed to develop Angola’s agricultural sector through large-scale, sustainable farming initiatives. The primary objectives are directly aligned with fostering economic growth and ensuring food security.

• Land Development: Identification and development of up to 40,000 hectares of irrigated or irrigable greenfield land.
• Operational Scale: An initial operation of at least 8,000 hectares in partnership with GESTERRA, with a potential expansion to 30,000 hectares.
• Crop Focus: Cultivation of essential food items including cereals, grains, legumes, and oilseeds to reduce the national food deficit.
• Infrastructure Development: Joint assessment and development of critical supporting infrastructure, including electricity, road networks, and water supply systems.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This initiative is strategically positioned to address multiple SDGs, transforming Angola’s agricultural landscape and contributing to its national development agenda.

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The core mission is to enhance the Angolan Food Security Agenda by increasing local production of staple foods. This directly tackles food insecurity and aims to create a resilient food production system.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The US$500 million investment is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, support rural development, and modernize the agricultural sector, thereby driving sustainable economic growth.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: A key component of the agreement is the development of essential infrastructure. This focus on building resilient infrastructure is fundamental to supporting sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation in the agricultural sector.
4. SDG 1: No Poverty: By creating jobs and fostering economic activity in rural areas, the project aims to empower local communities and provide pathways out of poverty.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The MOU exemplifies a powerful global partnership for sustainable development, combining Al Dahra’s international expertise and capital with Angola’s natural resources and local knowledge to achieve shared development objectives.

National Strategy and Regional Impact

The project is in close alignment with Angola’s key national policies, including the National Grain Production Plan (Planagrão) and the Production Support, Export Diversification and Import Substitution Policy (PRODESI). By leveraging world-class expertise and promoting sustainable practices, the partnership aims to not only achieve national food self-sufficiency but also to position Angola as a significant contributor to the regional food supply chain. This enhances both national and regional resilience against food shortages, a critical aspect of achieving SDG 2.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Al Dahra, MINAGRIF, and GESTERRA is a landmark initiative for Angola’s agricultural sector. It serves as a model for leveraging foreign direct investment to achieve national development priorities while making measurable progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The project’s focus on food security, economic growth, infrastructure, and sustainable practices promises to deliver long-term benefits for the people of Angola and contribute to a more stable and prosperous region.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights a major agricultural investment in Angola, which directly and indirectly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus is on food security, economic growth, and infrastructure, supported by international partnerships.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The article explicitly states the project’s aim is to reinforce “national food security,” address the “Angolan Food Security Agenda,” and reduce the “national food deficit.” The focus on cultivating “cereals, grains, legumes, and oilseeds” and promoting “sustainable agriculture” directly aligns with the goal of ending hunger and promoting sustainable food production.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The initiative is described as one of the “largest foreign direct investments in the Angolan agricultural sector,” with a potential of “US$500 million.” The article notes the project is expected to “generate employment opportunities” and make a “meaningful contribution to the nation’s economic development,” which are core components of SDG 8.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The success of the agricultural project is explicitly linked to infrastructural development. The agreement includes the “joint determination of the necessary supporting infrastructure, encompassing electricity, road networks, and water supply systems.” This directly relates to building resilient infrastructure to support economic development.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The entire initiative is founded on a partnership. The article details a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Al Dahra (a private UAE-based company), Angola’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MINAGRIF), and GESTERRA (a state-owned company). This public-private partnership is a clear example of the collaboration needed to achieve the SDGs, as highlighted by the Angolan government’s commitment to addressing food security through “strategic partnerships with the private sector.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the details provided in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The project’s goal to enhance the “Angolan Food Security Agenda” and reduce the “national food deficit” directly supports this target.
  • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers… The plan to “develop and operate up to 40,000 hectares” and use “world-class expertise” to modernize Angola’s agricultural sector aims to significantly increase productivity.
  • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices… The article mentions Al Dahra’s strategy supports “sustainable agriculture” and fosters “sustainable practices,” which aligns with this target.
  • Target 2.a: Increase investment… in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services… The “US$500 million” investment is a direct contribution to this target, aimed at developing the agricultural sector.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth… The article frames the investment as a driver for the “nation’s economic development.”
  • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all… The initiative is explicitly “expected to generate employment opportunities.”

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… The agreement’s focus on developing “electricity, road networks, and water supply systems” is a direct action toward achieving this target to support the agricultural project.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships… The collaboration between Al Dahra, MINAGRIF, and GESTERRA is a textbook example of the public-private partnership model this target promotes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several explicit and implied indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicators for SDG 2

  • Indicator for Target 2.3/2.4: The amount of land under cultivation is a clear metric. The article specifies plans to “develop and operate up to 40,000 hectares” and operate an initial “8,000 hectares.” Progress can be measured by the number of hectares brought into sustainable production. The volume of “cereals, grains, legumes, and oilseeds” produced would be another direct indicator of increased productivity.
  • Indicator for Target 2.a: The total investment amount is explicitly stated as having a potential of “US$500 million.” This figure serves as a direct indicator of financial flows to the agricultural sector (Indicator 2.a.1: The agriculture orientation index for government expenditures).

• Indicators for SDG 8

  • Indicator for Target 8.5: While no specific number is given, the statement that the project will “generate employment opportunities” implies that the number of jobs created would be a key performance indicator for this project.

• Indicators for SDG 9

  • Indicator for Target 9.1: Progress can be measured by the development of specific infrastructure projects mentioned, such as the length of new “road networks” built, the capacity of “electricity” supplied, or the volume of water managed by new “water supply systems.”

• Indicators for SDG 17

  • Indicator for Target 17.17: The existence of the signed “memorandum of understanding (MOU)” itself is an indicator of a partnership being formed. The “US$500 million” investment value is a quantifiable measure of this public-private partnership (Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: millingmea.com