Angola will commence the export of domestically produced salt to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) next week, following the recent signing of a cross-border trade agreement in Mbanza Kongo, the capital of Zaire Province. This development underscores Angola’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy through increased regional trade.
According to Nercia Tailer, Commercial Director of Salinas Calombolo, the company behind the initiative, the agreement will enhance production capacity to meet both domestic demand and external markets. Based in Benguela, Salinas Calombolo currently manufactures approximately 200,000 tonnes of salt per month and holds a stockpile of 80,000 tonnes earmarked for export.
In the initial export phase, the Congolese firm Mbakidi Ngangu will import 40,000 25-kilogram sacks of Angolan salt. Joaquim Frederico Mingui, the company’s manager, emphasised the high quality of the product, describing it as a testament to Angola’s capability in salt production.
Fátima Delicado, the National Director of Fisheries and Salt at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, affirmed that this bilateral trade agreement aligns with the Angolan government’s economic policies aimed at reducing oil dependency. Quoted by Angop, Delicado noted that Angola is self-sufficient in iodised salt production, and that strategic partnerships will be essential in expanding its market reach.
The signing took place during the fifth edition of Expo-Kongo, a trade fair held in celebration of the eighth anniversary of Mbanza Kongo’s designation as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The expo, which runs until 8 July, features 150 exhibitors from Zaire, UÃge, Luanda, and Benguela, representing sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock, commerce, tourism, and transport.
The export of salt from Angola to the DRC marks a significant milestone in Angola’s trade policy, highlighting the growing emphasis on leveraging its non-oil sectors to strengthen regional economic ties and create sustainable export streams.
