Bayelsa State has intensified efforts to deepen economic and diplomatic relations with Angola, moving to activate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Namibe Province during the recently revived Nigeria–Angola Bilateral Commission.
The partnership, initiated through an exploratory visit to the Angolan coastal province, has entered the implementation phase, with both parties expressing commitment to translating agreements into measurable economic gains.
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Duoye Diri, disclosed this on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço at Bayelsa House in Abuja. The delegation was led by Angola’s Minister of State and Chief of the Civil House of the President, Dionísio Manuel da Fonseca, and included senior government officials and investment representatives.
Diri said the relationship between Bayelsa and Namibe is anchored on shared geographic and economic characteristics, particularly their coastal status and blue economy potential.
“Namibe is a coastal province like Bayelsa. We share significant commonalities in marine resources, fisheries and other natural endowments. That informed our decision to foster closer cooperation,” the governor said.
He explained that the initial visit to Namibe was exploratory, aimed at identifying priority sectors for collaboration, including aquaculture, fisheries, marine services and related industries.
The second engagement occurred during the Nigeria–Angola Bilateral Commission meeting — the first in more than 20 years, with the previous session held in 2005. The high-level meeting was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, other federal officials and subnational representatives, including Nasarawa State.
At the session, Bayelsa formalised the MoU with Namibe Province, focusing on economic development in sectors where both jurisdictions hold comparative advantages. Nasarawa State also signed a separate agreement with another Angolan province.
Governor Diri noted that although Nigeria and Angola have signed nearly 30 agreements in the past, many were not fully implemented. He described the renewed bilateral engagement as a deliberate shift towards execution and accountability.
“What distinguishes this phase is the clear emphasis on implementation. Several agreements were signed previously but were not effectively executed. This visit underscores our resolve to ensure that what we have signed translates into concrete outcomes,” he stated.
The governor commended the Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, José Bamoquina Zau, for sustaining diplomatic relations between both countries, and acknowledged the role of Nigeria’s leadership in facilitating the revival of the bilateral commission.
Diri also revealed that a planned reciprocal visit by the Governor of Namibe had been postponed following the death of his deputy governor last year. He expressed optimism that the visit would be rescheduled in the near future.
“We look forward to hosting the Namibe governor in Bayelsa to consolidate this partnership. Stronger ties between our states and provinces will ultimately reinforce relations between Nigeria and Angola,” he said.
Analysts note that the Bayelsa–Namibe initiative reflects a growing trend of subnational diplomacy across Africa, aimed at expanding intra-continental trade, attracting investment and unlocking the economic potential of coastal and resource-rich regions.
With both sides signalling readiness to move beyond ceremonial commitments, the partnership is expected to prioritise practical cooperation in fisheries development, aquaculture expansion, marine infrastructure and broader economic exchange — positioning Bayelsa and Namibe as strategic hubs for enhanced South–South collaboration.
