NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya is intensifying its economic diplomacy towards Angola, aiming to leverage newfound direct air connectivity to significantly boost trade, investment, and tourism between the two nations. This strategic pivot was a key theme during a Nairobi ceremony on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, marking Angola’s 50th anniversary of independence, an event that underscored the growing ties between the East and Southern African states.

The launch of direct flights by TAAG Angola Airlines between Luanda and Nairobi on September 1, 2025, is seen by officials as a watershed moment. “The recent launch of direct flights...is a milestone in our aspiration to enhance connectivity and people-to-people relations,” stated Ambassador Josphat Maikara, Kenya’s Director-General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs, at the anniversary event. He emphasized that the route “opens new avenues for enhanced trade and investments as well as increased tourism between our two economies.”

Further bolstering this aerial bridge, Kenya Airways is anticipated to resume its own direct flights to Luanda. Following a meeting between President William Ruto and Angolan President João Lourenço in January 2025, it was announced that the national carrier would restart the route by March 2025, a plan reiterated by Ambassador Maikara. This move is expected to introduce competition and increase capacity, further cementing the economic corridor.

An Unbalanced Trade Equation

Despite the diplomatic optimism, the current trade relationship is modest and heavily skewed in Angola's favor. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), in 2023, Angola exported goods worth $9.69 million to Kenya, dominated by a single commodity: pig iron, which accounted for $9.63 million of the total. In stark contrast, Kenya’s exports to Angola in the same year were valued at only $4.67 million, with top products including glass bottles ($1.39 million) and raw tobacco ($1.29 million). Data from the UN COMTRADE database presents a different figure for 2024, showing Kenyan imports from Angola at $420.74 thousand. Another source reported Kenya's 2024 exports to Angola stood at Sh171 million (approx. $1.3 million), indicating some growth but still highlighting a significant trade imbalance. This disparity underscores the untapped potential for Kenyan businesses in the Angolan market.

Angola's Post-Conflict Economic Renaissance

Angola, which celebrated a half-century of independence from Portugal on November 11, 2025, is actively courting foreign investment as it diversifies its economy away from oil dependency. The nation's economy, which accounts for over 90% of its export revenue from oil, is pursuing a National Development Plan for 2023-2027 focused on diversifying into sectors like agriculture, mining, and telecommunications. Angolan Ambassador to Kenya, Mário de Azevedo Constantino, who presented his credentials in March 2025, highlighted his country's progress. “With the achievement of peace, the country laid the foundations for the reconstruction of the nation, highlighting the favorable business environment, security, and the strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor for boosting the potential for economic diversification,” he stated.

The Lobito Corridor is a critical piece of infrastructure designed to connect the mineral-rich regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to Angola's Port of Lobito on the Atlantic coast. This transport network is poised to become a game-changer for regional trade, significantly reducing transit times and costs for exports of critical minerals like copper and cobalt. For Kenya, the corridor represents a potential gateway for its goods and services to penetrate deeper into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc.

The Path Forward: From Connectivity to Commerce

While the establishment of direct flights is a critical first step, translating connectivity into tangible economic benefits will require concerted effort. Key challenges remain, including navigating differing trade regulations, establishing robust business-to-business networks, and addressing non-tariff barriers. The expected waiver of visa requirements for Kenyans entering Angola, a reciprocal move announced in January 2025, is a positive step towards easing business travel and fostering professional exchanges.

As Angola emerges from a long history of conflict to become an economy focused on reconstruction and growth, Kenyan enterprises in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, technology, and financial services may find a receptive market. The statements from both Ambassador Maikara and Ambassador Constantino signal strong political will. The next phase will depend on the private sectors of both nations seizing the opportunities created by this enhanced diplomatic and logistical framework. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED on the concrete steps being taken by trade promotion agencies in both countries to facilitate business linkages.