Angola Attracts Australian Mining Investors as Business Environment Improves
Angola is positioning itself as an increasingly attractive destination for Australian private investment, particularly in the mining sector, as bilateral business ties gain momentum.
Speaking at the first Australia/Angola Business Forum in Perth, Australian businessman Stephen Lee Wetherall, who has operated in Angola since 2014, described the country as a safe and recommendable destination for Australian investment in Africa.
The forum was held alongside the Africa Down Under mining conference from September 2–4 and brought together Australian mining executives, business leaders, government representatives and Angolan companies.
Growing Mining Investment Interest
Wetherall highlighted what he described as significant and positive improvements in Angola’s business environment between 2014 and 2026, while also identifying areas that require further improvement to sustain foreign direct investment.
The growing interest is particularly relevant to Angola’s mining sector, where Australian companies have increasingly explored opportunities in critical minerals, rare earths and other mineral resources.
The event also highlighted the strengthening institutional relationship between the two countries.
Australia’s Ambassador to Angola, Tegan Brink, and Angola’s Ambassador to Australia, António Luvualu de Carvalho, delivered opening remarks on bilateral relations.
Opportunity to Deepen Australia–Angola Ties
The high-level panel included Wetherall, Bill Johnston, former Western Australia Minister for Mines, Petroleum, Energy and Industry, and Angolan academic João Manuel da Costa Canoquena.
The forum concluded with Angola’s ambassador challenging the Angolan business community to host the second Australia/Angola Business Forum in Luanda.
For Angola, stronger engagement with Australia could help attract technical expertise, capital and partnerships from one of the world’s leading mining jurisdictions, supporting the country’s ambition to expand mining investment and diversify its economy beyond oil.
