Shifts in Business and Investment Models in Angola-China Relations: Key Sectors of Construction, Agriculture, Technology, and Education

In recent years, China has shifted its investment strategy in Angola, moving beyond traditional large-scale, standardized, and high-yield commercial ventures to include regionally focused enterprises supported by private Chinese investors. The second episode of the “Orfalea Center China-Angola Relations Webinar Series,” titled “Changing Business and Investment Models in the Angola-China Nexus: Projects, Schools and Commerce,” addressed these emerging cooperation models. Held on May 20, 2024, this live international webinar featured experts from both countries analyzing how these new business models impact various sectors including construction, agriculture, technology, and education.

The webinar also explored the broader economic and socio-cultural effects of these changes in Angola, particularly in areas such as Kilamba, Hoje Ya Henda, and Cidade da China. The event was attended by Professor Zhou Jinyan from Shanghai International Studies University, as well as Professors Ermelinda Liberato, Gilson Lázaro, and Cláudio Tomás from Agostinho Neto University in Luanda. This initiative is part of the China-Angola Relations project, hosted by the Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies with support from the Ford Foundation.

Below, you will find an overview of the key discussions, along with short clips from the presentations and the full webinar video. For those interested in the first episode—which focused on urban expansion, media coverage, and new online markets—click here.

Speakers (from left to right): Zhou Jinyan, Ermelinda Liberato, Cláudio Tomás, Gilson Lázaro.

The Dynamic Changes in Agricultural Cooperation between China and Angola

In her talk titled “China’s Role in Angola’s Agricultural Cooperation: From Large-Scale Agricultural Farm Construction to Market-Oriented Agricultural Investment,” Zhou Jinyan highlighted the common oversimplification of Sino-Angolan relations, often viewed through the limited “oil-for-infrastructure” narrative. This overlooks broader patterns of collaboration, particularly in agriculture. Since 2009, with credit lines from the China Development Bank and China Exim Bank, China has launched seven agricultural projects across Angola. These initiatives are governed by five-year contracts between Chinese companies and Angola’s Ministry of Agriculture, represented by the state-owned enterprise Gesterra. Beyond farm construction, China’s role includes developing irrigation systems, grain drying facilities, and food processing plants, as well as training local personnel and farm managers.

Zhou noted a key shift in 2016 when China’s agricultural strategy in Angola moved from large-scale, state-led farm constructions to more market-oriented investments. Her research shows that this shift mirrors a broader trend towards economic diversification, as Chinese private enterprises increasingly explore opportunities within Angola’s agricultural sector. Companies like Jiangsu Jiangzhou Agriculture Scientific Development Company have emerged as key players, reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainable, commercially-driven agricultural partnerships between the two countries. This evolving cooperation goes beyond the resource-for-infrastructure model, addressing Angola’s broader economic and social development needs.

Zhou concluded by suggesting that Chinese officials should consider expanding the smallholder production model, as it better aligns with Angola’s agricultural landscape. By linking farmers directly to markets through smallholder cooperatives and direct order systems, China can strengthen agricultural technology and market collaboration with Angola, boost food security, and ensure that more people benefit from Sino-Angolan cooperation.

The First Chinese International School in Angola

In her presentation, titled “Education, Technology, and Innovation: The Case of the First Chinese International School in Angola,” Ermelinda Liberato explored a case study on the pioneering pedagogical practices at the Fenda da Tundavala Private School Complex—the first Chinese international school established in Angola. Opened in 2021 in Luanda’s Urban District of Zango, within the municipality of Viana, the school can accommodate up to 2,000 students across various levels, including primary, secondary, pre-university, and secondary polytechnic programs. This institution represents a significant step in the growing collaboration and cultural exchange between Angola and China, highlighting both nations’ shared commitment to educational development and innovation.

Liberato’s presentation underscored the school’s innovative teaching methodologies, with a particular emphasis on the integration of linguistic and cultural elements into the curriculum. This approach not only addresses the challenges of blending Chinese and Angolan educational philosophies but also fosters an inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds can thrive. Her analysis highlighted the school’s broader significance in strengthening bilateral cooperation, extending its influence beyond traditional education to encompass research, technological innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration. Moreover, Liberato’s work illustrates how educational institutions can function as powerful diplomatic instruments, facilitating cultural exchange and fostering deeper sociopolitical ties.

Navigating Business Interactions and Sociocultural Dynamics in Kilamba

Through his presentation, “Enhancing Sociocultural Understanding: The Case of China-Angola Relations in Kilamba,” Gilson Lázaro explored the intricate web of commercial and sociocultural interactions between Angolan and Chinese traders in the rapidly developing city of Kilamba. Built in the early 2000s with substantial financial backing from China via a loan to the Angolan government, Kilamba represents a symbol of the growing economic ties between the two nations. Lázaro's research, grounded in ethnographic methodologies, moves beyond the dominant narrative that focuses solely on high-value trade transactions and economic statistics. Instead, he delves into the nuanced, day-to-day exchanges that occur within the local marketplace, highlighting the rich sociocultural dynamics often overlooked in broader Sino-African relations studies.

Lázaro’s analysis brings to light the complexities of these interactions, focusing on the everyday engagements between Chinese traders, Angolan workers, and Kilamba’s residents. By investigating key enterprises – Hx Zhong, ESG, AIMEIE & Home, and Honyua – Lázaro provides a window into how these companies, which specialize in the supply of furniture and construction materials, not only contribute to the local economy but also shape the socio-economic landscape of the city.

Lázaro’s research, based on observations and interviews, highlights differing perceptions between Angolan workers and Chinese employers in Kilamba. Angolan workers often see Chinese men as rigid and unwilling to negotiate, strictly adhering to their own rules in business dealings. In contrast, the same workers view Chinese women as more flexible and effective communicators, making them easier to work with. However, Chinese employers frequently criticize Angolan workers as slow to adapt to work demands. Lázaro also points out that Chinese companies tend to prioritize their own workforce, enforce strict work practices, and rely on Chinese materials, which helps them meet deadlines but strains relations with Angolan workers. Despite these challenges, some Chinese employers acknowledge Angola’s role in providing opportunities, and there are positive evaluations of Sino-Angolan relations, often influenced by education and social status. While conflicts, particularly in the construction sector, persist, it is important to recognize China’s contributions to Angola’s development.

Three Generations of Chinese Immigrants in Luanda

During the 2000s, Chinese migration to Angola expanded rapidly, driven by global economic trends and cooperation agreements that fueled major investments in infrastructure, mining, and trade. While the number of Chinese residents in Angola has declined significantly in recent years, at its peak, the population reached 300,000 during the first phase described by Cláudio Tomás in his talk, “Building a City: China and Three Generations of Immigration in Luanda.” Tomás identified three key phases of this migration: the initial wave tied to Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, the emergence of small traders and distributors forming a connected presence, and a more recent influx of young entrepreneurs seeking new opportunities. 

Tomás’ research delves into the diverse experiences of Chinese immigrants, emphasizing their integration and interactions within the local context, while suggesting ways to enhance communication between the two communities. His fieldwork, conducted in two key areas of Luanda, reveals contrasting realities. In China City, a multifunctional space offering business, commerce, and services, Chinese immigrants experience a higher level of integration into the local community, exemplifying the broader Sino-Angolan relationship. In contrast, the Hoji Ya Henda Shopping Mall, located in an older, more peripheral neighborhood, reflects the challenges faced by younger Chinese traders. These challenges include language barriers, legal documentation issues, safety concerns, and unstable employment conditions.

Lázaro also points out that Chinese companies tend to prioritize their own workforce, enforce strict work practices, and rely on Chinese materials, which helps them meet deadlines but strains relations with Angolan workers. Despite these challenges, some Chinese employers acknowledge Angola’s role in providing opportunities, and there are positive evaluations of Sino-Angolan relations, often influenced by education and social status. While tensions and conflicts, particularly in the construction sector, persist, China’s contributions to Angola’s development during critical times are also recognized.

➔ To view the complete webinar, click the video below: