Chair Lewis Met with President Lourenco in Angola to Highlight $900 Million Solar Energy Project
Luanda, Angola – This week, Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis traveled to Luanda, Angola, where she met with government leaders, private sector companies and external stakeholders to highlight EXIM’s ongoing work to support American exporters looking to do business in the country, and the agency’s commitment to deepening the U.S.-Angola commercial relationship.
“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,” said EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis. “It was an honor to be in Angola this week to continue highlighting EXIM’s commitment to financing transactions that benefit both our nation’s economies.”
On Monday, Chair Lewis met with President of Angola João Lourenço, where she discussed EXIM’s recent $900 million solar energy project transaction and emphasized the agencies desire to continue advancing transactions with tangible benefits for both the U.S. and Angola. In the afternoon, she met with representatives from SunAfrica and Omatapalo, American and Angolan companies both involved in the recently approved solar energy project. Chair Lewis also met with U.S. Ambassador to Angola Tulinabo Mushingi on Monday, where she discussed efforts where they can collaborate to advance commercial diplomacy in Angola, and Minister of Finance Vera Daves and Secretary of State for Energy Antonio Belsa da Costa, where she discussed potential opportunities for U.S. exporters in Angola.
On Tuesday, Chair Lewis held meetings with Minister of State for Economic Coordination Jose de Lima Massano, Minister of Transport Ricardo D’Abreu, Secretary of State for Urban Planning and Housing Manuel Canguezeze, and Minister of Commerce and Industry Rui Miguêns de Oliveira. In the evening, she joined a roundtable hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Angola with Angolan women entrepreneurs to discuss ways EXIM financing can help address challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and potential opportunities for U.S. exporters.
On Wednesday, Chair Lewis met with Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology Mario Oliveira, Minister of Economy and Planning Mario Augusto Caetano João. During the meeting with Minister João, she discussed avenues to engage the Angolan diaspora community to enhance U.S.-Africa commercial engagement. In the evening, Chair Lewis joined AmCham Angola Chairman Pedro Godinho and business leaders from across Angola for a roundtable discussion on how EXIM financing can be a game changer for Angolan companies looking to do business with American exporters.
On Thursday, Chair Lewis traveled to FILDA, the Luanda International Trade Fair where she gave remarks about the role EXIM can play in supporting transactions that create good paying jobs in the United States, and in Angola. She also toured the trade show floor and spoke with Angolan and American businesses present at the trade show.
ABOUT EXIM:
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the nation’s official export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. To advance American competitiveness and assist U.S. businesses as they compete for global sales, EXIM offers financing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. As an independent federal agency, EXIM contributes to U.S. economic growth by supporting tens of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. Since 1992, EXIM has generated about $9 billion for the U.S. Treasury for repayment of overall U.S. debt. Learn more at www.exim.gov.