PLANNING EXPORT PROCESSING ZONES IN ANGOLA: A PRELIMINARY APPROACH

Abstract

The study aims to highlight not only how, where, and when an EPZ could be implemented in Angola, its externalities, but also its viability in creating competitive advantages for the Angolan economy. The proposed implementation of an Export Processing Zone in Angola constitutes a strategy for productive restructuring and economic diversification, aligned with national policy instruments in the medium and long term. Based on classical growth pole theories (Weber, Lösch, Isard, Perroux, Hirschman, North, and Christaller), the EPZ aims to promote exchange rate equilibrium, reduce inflation, and increase the international competitiveness of the Angolan economy. The timeline for its implementation foresees three phases (2027-2034), with a direct impact on the agro-industrial and textile sectors, especially in the municipality of Lobito. The expected externalities include local gains (increased value of primary production), regional gains (logistical integration with SADC and ECCAS countries), and international gains (attracting capital, technology, and skilled labor). In economic and financial terms, the potential for foreign exchange revenue collection, public debt reduction, and stimulation of productive investment stand out. However, structural challenges remain to be overcome in the Angolan economy, such as institutional weakness, the lack of an inclusive capital market, and the need to modernize the financial system. The EPZ's strategic location and its ability to foster industrialization and corporate internationalization reinforce its viability as a driver of sustainable socioeconomic transformation for Angola.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/edimpacto2025.070-001