Al Dahra commits up to US$500M to accelerate agricultural development in Angola
The parties will work collaboratively to identify and study multiple land opportunities with water access that is suitable for cultivation of cereals, grains, legumes and oilseeds.
ANGOLA – Al Dahra, a leading global agribusiness group based in the United Arab Emirates, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Angola’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MINAGRIF) and GESTERRA , Gestão de Terras Aráveis, S.A., a state-owned agricultural land management company.
This agreement, with a total investment potential estimated at US$500 million, marks a significant step toward advancing major agricultural projects aimed at reinforcing national food security.
The collaboration will focus on identifying and evaluating land opportunities with water access suitable for the cultivation of cereals, grains, legumes, and oilseeds. Al Dahra intends to develop and operate up to 40,000 hectares of irrigated or irrigable greenfield land.
In parallel, Al Dahra, in partnership with GESTERRA, plans to operate at least 8,000 hectares, with the potential expansion to 30,000 hectares.
According to the agreement, a key component of the deal is the joint determination of the necessary supporting infrastructure, encompassing electricity, road networks, and water supply systems, to ensure the success of the proposed initiatives.
Speaking on the initiative, H.E. Minister Isaac Francisco Maria dos Anjos, MINAGRIF, stated that this is one of the largest foreign direct investments in the Angolan agricultural sector.
“The Government of Angola is committed to addressing food security through strategic partnerships with the private sector. We believe this proposed project will be a game-changer for enhancing Angolan Food Security Agenda and reducing the national food deficit,” he said.
Echoing the statement, Carlos Agostinho Dias Paim, CEO of GESTERRA, noted that this partnership draws on world-class expertise and our deep local roots, fostering innovation and sustainable practices that benefit our farmers and communities.
“We are delighted to join forces with Al Dahra in advancing Angola’s agricultural future,” Carlos said.
Al Dahra’s strategy supports sustainable agriculture in Africa and globally, with the goal of increasing local production and diversifying and modernising Angola’s agricultural sector, aligning closely with Angola’s national Grain Production Plan (Planagrão) and the Production Support, Export Diversification and Import Substitution Policy (PRODESI).
The initiative is expected to generate employment opportunities, support rural development, strengthen food production resilience, and position Angola as a significant contributor to the regional food supply chain.
Commenting on the initiative, Arnoud van den Berg, Group CEO of Al Dahra, stated that by combining their international expertise with Angola’s rich natural resources and notable agricultural potential, Al Dahra aims to empower local communities, drive food security, and make a meaningful contribution to the nation’s economic development.
“We are proud to announce this key milestone to enable exploring investment in Angola’s agricultural sector, harnessing Al Dahra’s extensive global know-how to foster sustainable growth and innovation for the country,” he said.
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