The Angolan government has approved a maritime tourism and cruise development program that it expects to raise over $50 million in revenue between 2025 and 2027, consolidating the country as an emerging destination in the African market for this segment.
According to the presidential decree accessed by the Lusa news agency, the government plans to attract 4,000 tourists by 2027, with gradual growth: 2,500 visitors during the 2025-26 season, 3,000 in 2026-27, and 4,000 throughout 2027.
The projections are based on an average daily expenditure of US$90 per visitor, considering that 70% of cruise ship passengers disembark at national ports and spend money on land, particularly on restaurants, shopping, excursions, and cultural activities.
Between 2013 and 2025, Angola received 35 cruise ships, with a cumulative total of 20,908 visitors, equivalent to an average of five ships per year. This track record serves as the basis for the goals set for the new cycle, in which maritime tourism is seen as a strategic tool for economic growth and the revitalization of local economies.
The program, valued at US$5 million, also sets the goal of increasing tourism’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) from 0.64% in 2022 to 0.87% in 2027, with a target of 2.5% by 2030, as part of the strategy to diversify the Angolan economy.
The initiative is based on four strategic axes. The first focuses on strengthening port infrastructure, with an emphasis on the rehabilitation and adaptation of the ports of Luanda, Lobito, and Namibe, allowing them to receive cruise ships and provide the respective logistical and tourist support services. The second pillar covers the qualification and diversification of the offer, with the development of cultural, historical, and natural itineraries, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises in the handicraft, restaurant, and entertainment sectors.
The third pillar focuses on international promotion, with participation in specialized fairs and actions aimed at cruise operators and companies. Finally, the fourth pillar focuses on hospitality and security, including measures such as simplifying the visa regime, strengthening port security, and aligning with international standards for welcoming tourists.
The implementation of the program is expected to create 6,955 temporary jobs by 2027, representing an increase of 79.5% over the 2022-25 period, with direct and indirect impacts on the hotel, restaurant, transport, trade, and cultural sectors, especially in port cities.
According to the presidential decree, maritime and cruise tourism is a national priority within the framework of the 2023-27 National Development Plan and the Angola 2050 strategy, aiming to boost tax revenues, enhance the country’s value, and establish it as a competitive destination in the international cruise market.
