With a population of 28.8 million, the Republic of Angola's gross domestic product (GDP) was 117,5 billion US dollars in current prices in 2016. This is relatively high compared to other sub-Saharan African countries, and remarkable for a least developed country (LDC). The paradox is also shown in the steady growth in GDP per capita, that rose from 420 US dollars in 2000 to 4,078 US dollars in 2016.

Despite the exceptional improvement in GNI per capita, progress in economic diversification and advancement in social and human-capital indicators has been limited. The challenges continue to be daunting.

Angola remains heavily dependent on oil, which accounts for a whopping 93% of the nation's total merchandise exports. The recent decline in international oil prices has further aggravated the vulnerability of the country to external shocks. Overdependence on a single export item (oil) has also discouraged the country from incorporating into global value chains and participating more fully in the export of manufactured goods and value-added services.

In view of Angola's objective to become an upper-middle income country by 2020 and graduate from LDC status in 2021, a major challenge lies in building economic resilience to help the country weather external shocks manifested in global oil price fluctuations. The country is in strong need of reformulated policies and institutions to help diversify its economy and maximize regional and global trade opportunities.

Objectives:

The objective of EU-UNCTAD joint Programme for Angola: Train for Trade II is to improve human and institutional capacities to foster appropriate economic diversification policies in Angola and to help the country building a more resilient economy capable of eradicating poverty. UNCTAD's intervention will focus on key problems previously identified by the Angolan government. These problems are pervasive challenges that undermine efforts to achieve accelerated, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.

The key areas identified are:

1. Trade policy and negotiations (commercial diplomacy)
2. Trade facilitation
3. Trade logistics
4. SMEs development
5. Investment
6. Scoping non-oil trade opportunities and diversification

Outputs:

• Scoping non-oil trade opportunities/diversification - Angola National Green Export Review
• Trade policy and negotiations (commercial diplomacy) - Capacity building in trade policy making, negotiations and analysis for Angola
• Trade facilitation - Support for implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in Angola
• Trade Logistics - Promoting sustainable transport and trade logistics systems: corridor and cluster-based approaches
• SMEs development - EMPRETEC
• Investment - Investment Policy Review of Angola (IPR)

Expected accomplishments:

• Enhanced technical skills of Angolan officials and other interested parties through training on international trade.
• Increased knowledge imbedded in national institutions and officials trained to be providers of trade courses.
• SMEs and business people trained in entrepreneurial and growth techniques by EMPRETEC.
• Study tours for government officials and stakeholders.
• Analysis of economic sectors and value chain mapping.
• Development of a course curriculum for academic or vocational training on trade.
• Organization of a public-private forum.
• Development of a commercial English training programme or platform.
• Development of a distance learning network.