Angola is at a turning point in its development trajectory, focusing on education, science, and innovation as central pillars for reducing dependence on oil and promoting economic diversification.
These priorities are highlighted in the African Development Bank’s The Governors’ Digest 2026, which emphasizes “the strategic role of investment in human capital—particularly in women and girls—as a driver of sustainable growth on the African continent.”
In this context, the Science and Technology Development Project (STDP), a $100 million program funded by the Government of Angola and the African Development Bank, is helping to train a new generation of scientists, engineers, and researchers.
The project focuses on science education as a tool for structural economic transformation, promoting women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“In higher education, the program has already supported 161 Angolan students, placed at institutions such as the University of Lisbon and the University of São Paulo, with 21% female participation—a figure the project aims to increase in the coming phases,” the document states.
The initiative’s impact also extends to secondary education, through scholarships aimed at girls in vulnerable situations, especially in regions with low female participation in science.
The Governors’ Digest 2026 reveals that “between 2019 and 2024, 1,204 students were supported, a number well above the initial target of 125 beneficiaries, highlighting the strong uptake of the program.”
A recent evaluation indicates that 82% of the beneficiaries improved their food security, 97% gained better access to school supplies, and 40.2% went on to higher education, demonstrating effects that extend beyond the school setting.
According to one of the participants, “the scholarship didn’t just help us study—it helped us believe in ourselves.”
The investment also includes strengthening scientific infrastructure, with the installation of 54 laboratories in 18 secondary schools, the training of more than 1,350 teachers and technicians, and the funding of 73 research projects, 31.5% of which are led by women.
According to The Governors’ Digest 2026, investing in girls’ education in science is not just a matter of equity, but one of the most effective tools for accelerating economic diversification in Africa.
The document further emphasizes that investing in women in science is one of the key drivers for transforming Africa’s demographic potential into sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
