After almost four decades of rule by former President José Eduardo dos Santos, Lourenço is seeking to drum up foreign direct investment in lieu of petrodollar diplomacy.
To that end, Secretary for Diplomatic Affairs for International Cooperation Victor Manuel Rita da Fonseca Lima hired Washington lobbying firm Squire Patton Boggs back in June 2019 to bring Angola’s financial system up to international standards, increase US trade and investment, and enhance the country’s profile in the United States.
The contract is worth $3.75m for the 12 months until June 2022, down from $4.1 m in its first year. The account is led by Robert Kapla, the firm’s Public Policy Practice Group leader.
Focus on corruption
Much of Lourenço’s focus has been on fighting alleged corruption, particularly by officials from the previous administration.
Soon after taking office the new president dismissed Dos
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