MEFMI Courses in Portuguese for Angola

As part of the Institute’s effort to provide appropriate capacity building interventions to Lusophone member countries, the Secretariat conducted a three (3) day Mission to Angola from 30 July to 1 August 2018. The delegation was led by the MEFMI Executive Director, Dr Caleb Fundanga. The other mission members were Mr. Stanislas Nkhata, Director of the Debt Management Programme and Mr Senei Molapo, Manager in the Macroeconomic Management Programme.

The objectives of the Mission were to:
(i) Discuss with the authorities  proposals to improve attendance and participation by Angolan officials in MEFMI activities (Regional, e-learning, Missions, and In Country workshops);
(ii) Engage Angola on the planned activities for 2018 and 2019; and
(iii) Ascertain the realistic cost of implementing activities in Angola;

The Mission held meetings with the Ministries of Finance and Planning and the National Bank of Angola. The Mission also visited two (2) training institutes in Luanda.

The meeting with the Ministry of Finance was attended by the Minister of Economy and Planning, Honourable Pedro Luis da Fonseca, the Director of the Exchange Office, Mr. Manuel Francisco Pedro, the Technician in the Ministry of Finance, Ms. Teresa José de Castro and the Executive Director and Board Member at Banco Nacional de Angola, Mr. Cristovao Tavares.

In his welcome remarks, the Minister said that the visit by MEFMI was taking place at an opportune time, when the government was beginning a new cycle of the national development plan for 2018 – 2022. He said that the previous medium term plan System (2013 – 2017) was developed within the framework of the country’s new Constitution and followed the adoption of the law on the National Planning. He said that the new Plan lies in the middle of the National Strategy for Long-Term Development Angola 2025. He said great effort is being made to rebuild the country devastated by decades of war, adding that Angola has now entered the stage of modernisation and development, focused on stability, growth and appreciation of the Angolan citizens. This plan focuses on ensuring literacy and schooling for all Angolans, ingredients that are essential for sustainable and equitable development. He recommended that MEFMI should establish links with Angolan training institutes to enhance collaboration in developing sustainable capacity in the public sector. He commended MEFMI’s initiative to introduce interpretation services during capacity building activities.

The Minister’s sentiments were echoed by the Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Angola (BNA), Dr. Manuel Antonio Tiago Dias, who assured MEFMI that the Bank will work with the Institute and the Ministry of Finance to identify capacity gaps in Angola as well as encourage their employees to attend MEFMI’s training and other capacity building activities. The Deputy Governor gave a brief overview of Angola’s economic situation. He said that Angola is striving to rebalance its economy following the volatile global oil prices. Oil represents about a third of Angola’s GDP and over 95% of its exports.

The Mission also met the Secretary of State for Planning, Dr. Manuel Neto Costa. The Secretary of State explained that his Ministry is pivotal for sustainable development and transformation, adding that it was responsible for socioeconomic planning and statistics management. He said that Angola has made substantial economic and political progress since the end of the war in 2002. However, the country continues to face massive development challenges, which include reducing its dependency on oil and diversifying the economy; rebuilding infrastructure; and improving institutional capacity, governance, public financial management systems, human development indicators, and the living conditions of the population. He said that his Ministry has just been charged with managing the National Development Plan which guides Angola’s development agendas. He requested MEFMI to assist in building capacity in the Ministry.

Dr. Fundanga informed the officials that MEFMI is committed to provide technical assistance to Angola so that the country derives maximum value from its member to the Institute. He said that MEFMI will deliver In-country workshops for Angola in Portuguese by utilising Portuguese speaking experts. He reiterated MEFMI’s commitment to deliver the In-country activities for Angola in 2018 and 2019, based on the agreed work plan. He added that, where necessary, MEFMI would team up with its technical cooperating partners such as IMF, World Bank and UNCTAD among others to ensure coordinated delivery of technical assistance to Angola. Further, MEFMI will ensure translation of all key documents and workshop material for the benefit of Portuguese speaking participants. Dr. Fundanga also invited the Minister and his officials to attend the Combined Forum which will be held back to back with the 2018 IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Bali, Indonesia.

The Angola officials were also briefed on the Fellows Development Programme. Dr. Fundanga expressed concern that there are only two (2) Fellows from Angola (one Candidate and one Graduate). The Institute has a total of 148 Fellows 44 of whom are females.  Dr Fundanga requested the Minister’s and Governor’s intervention for Angolan officials to apply for the next cohort of the Fellows Development Programme.

Dialogue with the Ministry of Finance, National Bank of Angola and other stakeholders such as the Instituto De Formacao De Financas Publicas (INFORFIP), Escola Nacional de Administracao (ENAD) and Institute for the Portuguese-Speaking African Countries will ensure that Angola gets maximum value from its membership to MEFMI.