Canada-Angola Relations

Canada's main objective in Angola has always been to promote lasting peace for the Angolan people. Canada has no permanent diplomatic presence in Angola (our Ambassador resides in Harare, Zimbabwe) and there is no bilateral official development assistance program. The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives was recently increased from C$150,000 to C$335,000 per year in support of civil society. In 2002-2003, Canada contributed C$14.5 million in humanitarian assistance. The Peacebuilding Fund of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) provided C$1 million for projects to demobilize and reintegrate ex-combatants. In March 2003, Canada contributed US$500,000 to support a landmine impact survey.

Though modest and generally concentrated in the oil industry, trade and investment between Canada and Angola has potential for growth. Used clothing and dried beans were Canada's main exports to Angola in 2003, totalling C$11 million each. Angola's main export to Canada is crude oil. However, these imports vary considerably: they totalled C$39 million in 2001, but dropped to nil in 2002 and 2003.

In January 2004, a Canadian delegation went to Angola for formal consultations with the government in an attempt to expand our bilateral relations. An Angolan delegation is expected in Canada this fall to continue these talks.