The company Digital Nation, which is accompanying President Karis on his visit, signed a memorandum of cooperation in Luanda with the Institute for Administrative Modernization (IMA), the Angolan agency responsible for the development of the nation’s digital state, on the basis of which it will become the framework partner to the IMA over the coming years in establishing the basis of Angola’s digital state.
President Karis remarked that it is clear that strong international cooperation is needed to resolve conflicts and achieve lasting peace, whether that pertains to Russia’s war in Europe or crises in Africa. “That is why we have to keep the lines of communication open with all of our like-minded partners, because it is only through working together that we will grow stronger and achieve our shared objective of a peaceful world,” the head of state said.
Speaking about Russia’s colonial aggression in Ukraine, President Karis stated that a Ukrainian victory was of existential importance to Estonia. “The Soviet Union occupied Estonia, and we are seeing Russia’s pattern of colonialist behaviour repeating in Ukraine today,” he warned. “I call on Angola to take part in the debates on the peace plan proposed by President Zelenskyy.”
The Estonian head of state added that Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine is not merely a regional conflict, but one with global consequences. “The economies of all of the African nations dependent on grain from Ukraine are suffering, as well as those which are having to cope with the rapid rise in inflation the war has resulted in,” he noted.
President Karis acknowledged his Angolan counterpart for his role as Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in the African Union, remarking that peace in Africa is very important to Europe. The two heads of state also discussed the protection of children’s rights in armed conflicts – an issue that both Estonia and Angola stand behind – with President Karis outlining to President Lourenço Estonia’s goals in becoming a member of the UN Human Rights Council from 2026-2028.
The Estonian and Angolan heads of state also spoke at length about enhancing economic cooperation, the former inviting Angolan entrepreneurs to take part in the African Economic Forum being held in Tallinn in May. In addition, President Karis gave the opening address at a high-level seminar in Luanda on e-governance and the digitalisation of public administration. He described Estonia’s experience of digitalisation over the last three decades and cooperation between the state and the private sector. Angola’s Economic Diversification Support Program has recommended working with Estonia on the development of the Angolan e-state.
President Karis says that since Estonia restored its independence, it has diversified its economy by making the digital transition. “This has helped create jobs and boosted partnerships between the public and private sectors,” he explained. “Estonia has the experience it needs to support African nations in their digitalisation efforts. I invite Angola to make use of the skills and knowledge our state and entrepreneurs have to offer.”
The Estonian head of state is being accompanied on his visit to Angola by a representative of the company Digital Nation, which is already operating in Africa. Both it and the e-Governance Academy are interested in working with Angola on the development of its e-state. “Estonia’s experience and skill set can be of help to Angola in digitalising their state, and thereby diversifying their economy and creating new jobs,” President Karis said. Angola’s economy is the sixth biggest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The country is one of the biggest oil producers on the continent, which is its biggest source of revenue.
This Sunday, Estonia and Angola marked 27 years of diplomatic relations. “I am delighted that new life has been breathed into our relationship in recent years,” said President Karis. “The aim of my visit has been to show that we want to develop digital cooperation with Angola. I am sure that our new honorary consul here in the country will be of great help in establishing closer contact.”
