IFAD in Angola

IFAD’s first project in Angola, the Malanje Smallholder Sector Rehabilitation Project began in 1991 but was suspended in 1992 when fighting broke out again and it became impossible to maintain a presence in the project area. When the Lusaka Peace Accord was signed in November 1994 IFAD began formulating two new projects. The Northern Region Foodcrops Development Project (PRODECA) was initiated in 1997, and the Northern Fishing Communities Development Programme (PESNORTE) began in 1999. Both operations were disrupted by a fresh outbreak of war in late 1998, and were resumed after the conflict ended in 2002, when the project and programme areas became accessible again.

A new project, the Market-oriented Smallholder Agriculture Project has been approved in 2007.

IFAD’s strategy in Angola

IFAD’s primary objective in post-conflict Angola is to ensure food security and help increase incomes, particularly for people living in the poorest areas of the central highlands. The organization’s programmes and projects will address vulnerable groups such as women and households headed by women, as well as young people, demobilized soldiers and displaced persons. Development activities are directed towards:

• increasing smallholder production of basic food crops
• strengthening rural organizations and representatives of vulnerable groups
• ensuring access to services and infrastructure such as schools, health centres and wells for the most disadvantaged groups
• promoting pro-poor policies based on in-depth knowledge of the needs of rural poor people in specific localities

IFAD’s approach to rebuilding the livelihoods of rural poor people in Angola is based on local-level knowledge of their circumstances and needs. All operations adhere to the three principles of IFAD’s regional strategy for Eastern and Southern Africa:

• targeting carefully
• empowering rural poor people
• helping rural organizations influence local and national institutions

In the post-war period of reconstruction, IFAD’s operations have made a contribution towards rebuilding communities, improving livelihoods and ensuring stability in rural areas. Millions of Angolans are now newly settled or resettled in rural areas. Providing basic social infrastructure has been important in motivating people to return to these areas, as demonstrated by the increase in population around new schools and health centres. Evaluations of the Belgian Survival Fund investments in Angola have shown that the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure in rural areas can have a rapid positive impact on the lives of poor rural people.

Read Country strategic opportunities paper

Source: IFAD