Internal struggles may weaken Angola's MPLA

Significance

This follows Lourenco’s August convening of a grassroots party convention and public rebuke of veteran MPLA colleagues who have expressed a desire for multiple candidates to contest the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.

Impacts

• High levels of corruption and a difficult regulatory environment may deter foreign investment, despite reforms.
• Planned upgrades to the Lobito Corridor may only have limited economy-wide benefits.
• Lourenco will hope to use US President Joe Biden’s planned October 13-15 visit to help bolster his position within the MPLA.