Angola pivots foreign policy and oil sector under President João Lourenço

President João Lourenço has steered Angola away from historic ties with Portugal and reduced its relationship with Russia, while seeking a recalibrated partnership with China after concerns over extractive loan practices. He has also pursued a more active diplomatic role in the Democratic Republic of Congo, though recent mediation efforts were described as ineffective.

At the same time, Lourenço is pushing deep reforms in the oil and gas industry. The government is restructuring the state oil company Sonangol, establishing a separate regulatory agency, expanding local content, and emphasizing natural‑gas development. Angola’s exit from OPEC in 2023 and new legislative measures are meant to diversify the energy mix, attract investment and turn oil wealth into broader economic development.