Angola Advances Sustainability Goals with the Conclusion of the ZAEC Project
A landmark Initiative led by FAO restores degraded land, empowers communities, and strengthens Angola’s environmental resilience.

ZAEC Project Participants
©FAO Angola
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in close collaboration with Angola's Ministry of Environment (MINAMB), has successfully concluded the Sustainable Land Management Project in Angola’s selected landscapes, commonly referred to as the ZAEC project (Agroecological and Conservation Zones translated from the Portuguese Zonas Agroecológicas e de Conservação).
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the ZAEC Project is a transformative initiative that has made significant strides in reversing land degradation across southwestern Angola. The project has delivered impactful results, advancing Angola’s environmental sustainability goals and benefiting thousands of people in the target regions.
Speaking at the project's closing ceremony, Anastacio Goncalves, Assistant to the FAO Country Representative for Programme in Angola, highlighted the restoration of 1,831 hectares of degraded land in Huambo and Benguela Provinces through agroforestry techniques. Additionally, the project trained 732 stakeholders in agroecological practices—60 percent of whom were women—underscoring the importance of gender empowerment in supporting sustainable environments and agrifood systems.
“It is of great importance to us that this project has contributed to the strategic framework of FAO and created a better environment. By integrating sustainable land-use planning, decision-making, and management strategies, the project has promoted environmental sustainability, empowered local communities, and enhanced resilience in some of Angola’s most vulnerable landscapes,” Goncalves said.
Setting a Benchmark for Environmental Interventions
The ZAEC project’s holistic approach has set a benchmark for environmental interventions in Angola. By addressing land degradation through innovative techniques and participatory processes, it has enhanced land productivity, improved community livelihoods, and strengthened Angola’s resilience to climate change.
Partnering for Social and Economic Impact
Through collaborative efforts, FAO in Angola and MINAMB continue to support local communities. The ZAEC project has directly impacted over 4,808 farmers and indirectly benefited approximately 1.5 million people in the target areas. By prioritizing community involvement, the project fostered local ownership of sustainable practices, ensuring lasting and inclusive outcomes.
The project also established and operationalized an Agroecological Zoning (AEZ) Unit at the Centro de Ecologia Tropical e Alterações Climáticas (CETAC). This unit monitors over 358,841 hectares and provides decision-support services for sustainable land management. Additionally, a WebGIS Decision Support System was launched to enhance land-use planning and resource allocation, equipping stakeholders with accessible data and tools for informed decision-making.
FAO and fostering sustainable growth
Two key activities highlighted the ZAEC project’s conclusion. In January 2025, a fact-finding visit enabled members of the Project Steering Committee to evaluate on-the-ground results in Alto-Hama, Chipipa, and Chongoroi. Participants observed restored landscapes and the successful implementation of sustainable land management plans firsthand.
As the project concludes, its achievements reaffirm the commitment of both FAO and Angola to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These achievements emphasize their dedication to fostering partnerships for sustainable development. By institutionalizing the project’s outcomes, Angola is now well-positioned to build on this foundation and ensure a sustainable future for its landscapes and communities.
Contact
Samuel Creppy
FAO Angola
Communications Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Andre Sinela
FAO Angola
Project Coordinator
Email: [email protected]