President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), Reta Jo Lewis, explored and discussed opportunities for the U.S. and Angola to deepen commercial relationship and diplomacy during her visit to the southern African country last month.
During the visit, Lewis met with U.S. and Angolan high-level representatives from both the private and public sectors including João Lourenço, the Angolan President; Tulinabo Mushingi, U.S. Ambassador to Angola; Antonio Belsa da Costa, Secretary of State for Energy, Angola and Vera Daves, Angola’s Minister of Finance.
“From our very first transaction in Angola back in 1942, to our most recent deal – a historic solar energy project that was approved just last month– EXIM has worked for decades to provide financing support to U.S. exporters doing business in Angola,” stated Lewis, adding that the credit provider is committed to continuing financing projects which add value to both economies.
Her meetings centered around prospects to expand commercial diplomacy between the two countries and for U.S. exporters in Angola, as well as how EXIM financing can be leveraged to support female entrepreneurs and in creating good paying jobs in Angola and the U.S.
The Chair also had meetings with Angolan women entrepreneurs; Jose de Lima Massano, Angola’s Minister of State for Economic Coordination; Ricardo D’Abreu, Minister of Transport; Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology, Mario Oliveira and Minister of Economy and Planning Mario Augusto Caetano João.
The visit followed EXIM announcing a $900 million financing package to fund the development of a 500 MW solar project being developed by SunAfrica in Angola.
