I believe that many people are not very familiar with the work of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Angola. What kind of agency is this and what are its functions in practice?

UNDP is the main development agency of the United Nations system. We have been in Angola for quite some time, since 1975, working with the government in many areas. Currently, we have our national programme, which runs from 2024 to 2028 and covers four priority areas that are aligned with Angola's National Development Plan (PDN). To simplify understanding for the average citizen, we are here to help the government implement its national development priorities.

And what are these priorities?

The first is economic diversification. Everyone knows that Angola wants to diversify its economy from fossil fuels to other things. Many other things. Another area of intervention in Angola is its huge young population. There is also a large informal sector. How do we work with young people to try to convince them to formalise their activities? Because the informal sector is a huge component of the country's economy. More than 70% of the population in Angola is young, aged between 15 and 25. How do we develop their skills and work with Angola to ensure that the government gets the best, but that the people also get the best?

These are important questions. The answers are lacking.

We know that the government is very focused on agriculture, but human capital is necessary. We know that entrepreneurship is important, so how are we going to develop people's entrepreneurial skills? It is not possible to run a business when you do not have the basic skills. These areas are priorities when it comes to diversifying the economy. On the other hand, although education is important, we know that there is a young population that may not have access to education as we imagine it – their training must be through vocational and technical education, which is also very important for society.

It is a very comprehensive approach. Going into more detail, what kind of programmes and projects should be implemented in Angola?

Our approach is very broad because when you think about human capital, for example, you don't think about human capital in just one sector of activity. In the health sector, for example, there is a need to improve human capital, right? And that is why we are working with the Angolan government, through the Ministry of Health, with the involvement of the Global Fund. When it comes to entrepreneurship, it is necessary to strengthen the capacities of young people by training them. Some of our initiatives involve work aimed at young people, to strengthen their capacities through digital and financial literacy. It is necessary to encourage the informal sector to formalise itself, and here too it is necessary to empower young people.

In what way?

It is necessary to build trust in informal sectors so that they become formalised, because we know that, globally, and not just in Angola, the social contract between citizens and governments is very fragmented. We also try to support the government in this regard. In the informal sector, almost no taxes are paid.

But in Angola there is a negative perception of tax collection, mainly because public services are very weak. In this context, is it important to provide incentives (fiscal or otherwise) to drive change?

I think the Angolan government, like any other government, has to demonstrate that the money is being used to make people feel comfortable, with access to social protection and good healthcare for those who cannot afford it. Or to ensure that rubbish is collected and that there is access to electricity. These basic things.

When citizens pay more and more taxes, as is currently the case (a virtually new reality in Angola, at least since 1975), they become more aware and demanding. Can this transform the relationship between the people and the government?

We know that we also need to raise awareness among citizens. Part of the responsibility lies with citizens, not just the government. When we pay for something, for example, we feel that we are also contributing and that we should receive something in return. Let me give you a very simple example: when we are driving our car and pass through dirty areas, it is not the government that puts rubbish on the street. It is the citizens who are doing that. Citizens must help and facilitate the government's actions.

Read the full article in issue 834 of Expansão, Friday, 11 July 2025, in print or digital version. Find out more here.