UNDP-USA

United States Committee for the United Nations Development Program

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Angola Enterprise Program

After decades of civil war, the 2002 peace accord presented Angola the opportunity to finally tap into its vast wealth of natural and human resources. Since then the country has experienced 20% annual growth. To unleash the potential of Angola's entrepreneurs, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has joined with the Government of Angola and private sector partners to form the Angola Enterprise Program (AEP).

This innovative partnership is dedicated to supporting the private sector in Angola as a means of promoting growth, new industries, and jobs. AEP is building sustainable local institutions to provide business development services, offer vocational training, improve access to micro finance, and advocate for a more business friendly climate in Angola.

Since 2004 AEP has:

established three business development centers that will be financially independent by 2007;
helped the Central Bank form a special Micro Finance Unit;
supported the country's first two micro lenders as they brought opportunity and credit to over 20,000 Angolans;
trained 193 entrepreneurs in basic business skills; and,
worked with local universities to produce a number of studies to help policy makers better understand the needs of Angolan businesses.

To build upon these successes the program is preparing a second phase of activities, which include:

Promoting youth entrepreneurship, skill training, and the development and implementation of business curriculum for high school and college students;
Continuing to expand access to business development services, financial services, and specialized incubators for critical industries; and,
Supporting dialogue between the private sector and government on how the country's regulatory framework can be strengthened and improved.

Micro Finance in Angola

Joana always loved to bake. She would make cakes at home and sell them on the street. However, because money was tight she could only irregularly afford the up front costs. Not having a business license complicated matters further.

In 2004 an initial loan of $100 she was able to open a shop and buy ingredients in bulk. Over time, she was able to reinvest her profits in an industrial mixer that has sped up her production.

Today, Joana is a successful entrepreneur running her own bakery. She has a steady flow of regular customers and has even begun to distribute her cakes through a local grocery store. And she is able to afford to send all three of her children to college in Angola.