Japan Pledges $2M to Boost Food Security and Agricultural Innovation in Southern Angola

WFP and NEC to Deliver Climate-Resilient Farming, Clean Water Access, and Economic Opportunities to Over 27,000 People in Drought-Hit Regions.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced a significant contribution of US$2 million from the Government of Japan to support more than 27,000 people affected by persistent drought conditions in southern Angola. This funding will enhance both food and water security and help fortify the resilience of vulnerable communities through innovative agricultural solutions developed in partnership with the Japanese private sector.

Combating the Impacts of Climate Change in Huíla and Cunene

Angola’s southern provinces, Huíla and Cunene, have suffered prolonged droughts worsened by climate events such as El Niño, which have severely impacted agricultural output, water availability, and community livelihoods. The new project will directly address these challenges by introducing solar-powered water systems, small-scale irrigation solutions, and sustainable farming practices adapted to the region’s climate stressors.

Working closely with the Government of Angola, WFP will implement activities designed to promote long-term development. These include improving water infrastructure, scaling up climate-smart agricultural production, and building local capacity through technical training and community-based support. The initiative aims to strengthen value chains, promote food self-sufficiency, and increase household incomes for smallholder farmers.

Innovation through International Collaboration

A core component of the project involves WFP’s partnership with NEC Corporation, a leading Japanese technology company. NEC will contribute cutting-edge digital and agricultural technologies, helping to transform traditional farming practices and optimize resource use. These efforts are aligned with Japan’s broader development goals for Angola, which prioritize food security, economic diversification, and climate resilience under the country's National Development Plan 2023–2027.

“This is more than just an emergency response,” said José Ferrão, WFP’s Head of Office in Angola. “We’re working with the Government of Japan and the Japanese private sector to create long-term solutions. The fusion of Japan’s technology with WFP’s operational reach and understanding of the local context is a powerful combination that can redefine agriculture in southern Angola.”

A Model for Sustainable Development

This new initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Government of Japan to foster sustainable socioeconomic development in Africa. The Angola project is one of the flagship efforts that will be showcased at the upcoming Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), scheduled to be held in Yokohama in August 2025.

Japanese Ambassador to Angola, Toru Suzuki, emphasized the broader implications of the project. “The initiative reflects our commitment to co-developing solutions that are practical, locally adapted, and forward-looking. It will serve as a model of cooperation between Africa and Japan, and we are proud to present it at TICAD9,” Suzuki stated.

He further noted that the project aligns with Japan’s Country Development Cooperation Policy for Angola, which emphasizes agricultural development as a key pathway toward achieving food security, economic growth, and sustainable development.

Addressing Immediate Needs Alongside Long-Term Goals

In addition to building agricultural resilience, WFP is continuing to support Angola’s emergency drought response. The organization has been distributing food vouchers and specialized nutrition support to families with malnourished children, as well as to pregnant and breastfeeding women and adolescent girls. WFP also works with local health facilities, training healthcare providers and community workers in nutrition screening and malnutrition treatment, contributing to broader maternal and child health improvements.

By combining immediate humanitarian aid with long-term development planning and innovative technologies, this Japan-funded project is a critical step toward transforming how southern Angola responds to and recovers from climate-induced food insecurity.

As TICAD9 approaches, this partnership serves as a compelling example of what strategic international collaboration can achieve for the most vulnerable populations in Africa.