Meet Maria Luísa Abrantes, PhD Lawyer, a distinguished expert specializing in Contracts, International Arbitration, Tax Law, Corporate Law, Corporate Governance, and Geological and Mining Law. Her journey into finance and law was driven by a desire to strengthen family finances, empower families, and support companies in improving their net performance to create more jobs. With a focus on financial and economic law, mining law, and international arbitration, Maria has forged a career aimed at achieving these objectives.
Maria’s primary objective has always been to enhance financial stability for families and bolster the performance of companies. Her approach to law is deeply rooted in her commitment to achieving good financial results through the implementation of strategic projects. She affirms, “My motivation comes from the positive financial outcomes following project implementation.”
As an Angolan woman, Maria takes immense pride in contributing to her country’s economic reforms. Her role in advising the government on essential changes has been pivotal in improving the business environment and attracting foreign investment from private national companies. Her influence extends beyond Angola; as a Board member of the US/Africa Business Center, under the US Chamber of Commerce, she has played a crucial role in fostering relations between leading US companies and African enterprises across various sectors beyond mining, oil, and gas exploration.
Drawing inspiration from the exemplary economic advancements in countries like China, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and several Arab nations, Maria has been motivated to drive similar progress in Africa. Her recognition as one of the most influential African women, twice, underscores her significant impact and heightens her responsibility towards her clients.
Leadership in Financial Oversight and Economic Development
Maria’s professional journey has been significantly shaped by her experiences at Georgetown Graduate School and Harvard Graduate School. These institutions were crucial in her career, allowing her to build a robust network of influential contacts and gain invaluable knowledge. Through these connections, Maria was able to meet and exchange experiences with top leaders of multinational corporations, enhancing her expertise and broadening her perspectives.
In her role as President of the Audit Council of Banco Caixa Geral Angola, Maria felt a profound responsibility in overseeing a financial institution that was a branch of the Portuguese bank, which at that time was associated with Santander Bank, one of Spain’s largest banks, and monitored by the European Central Bank. This role required her to ensure the integrity and compliance of the bank, which had branches across Europe, North America, and South America. Additionally, as President of the General Assembly of the first investment bank in Angola, she represented the interests of the bank’s shareholders, ensuring their voices were heard and their investments were protected.
Maria’s leadership extended to her tenure as Secretary of State for Private Investment and President of the Office of Trade and Investment (ANIP) in Angola. Her primary goal in these roles was to create bridges between global investors and Angolan companies. She successfully negotiated with foreign investors from G20 countries and other economic blocs, fostering international partnerships and driving economic growth in Angola.
Privatizations and Public-Private Partnerships
One of the biggest challenges Maria faced in her career was dealing with privatizations and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). She emphasized the need for meticulous attention to detail in these processes. In privatizations, it is crucial not to overlook any asset or liability, ensuring a comprehensive and fair transition. In PPPs, foresight is essential to anticipate all potential supervening events that could lead to additional costs, safeguarding the interests of all parties involved.
Maria’s distinguished career is marked by her strategic vision, dedication to economic development, and ability to navigate complex financial landscapes. Her leadership and contributions have had a lasting impact on Angola’s financial sector and its integration into the global economy, making her a respected figure in international trade and investment circles.
A Visionary Leader in Global Economic Development
Maria felt deeply honored to be invited as a mentor for Master’s students from Harvard Business School, recognizing the opportunity to guide the next generation of innovators. The students were eager to launch pioneering projects, including microcredit initiatives in Mexico and Morocco. Additionally, a PhD student from Oxford University sought her expertise for implementing a new banking system in Angola to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Maria’s contributions to these projects highlight her dedication to fostering economic growth and empowering communities worldwide. Her leadership and insights are invaluable to these ambitious students as they endeavor to make a positive impact through their innovative projects.
Throughout her illustrious career, Maria has received numerous prestigious awards from reputable international organizations. These accolades underscore her significant contributions and leadership in various fields. The honors bestowed upon her by entities such as the Africa CEO Forum, the United States Legislative Women, the US Small and Medium Business Department, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Women In International Trade (WITT), the Indian Women Entrepreneur Federation, and the US Business Women Network, among others, are a testament to her influence and achievements on a global scale.
Each award holds a special place in Maria’s heart, reflecting recognition from diverse sectors and affirming her commitment to driving sustainable development and economic empowerment. Her accomplishments serve as an inspiration to many, demonstrating the impact of visionary leadership and dedication to global progress.
Balancing Professional Excellence with Personal Fulfillment
Maria has masterfully balanced her demanding professional life with her personal commitments by integrating extracurricular activities into her children’s education from a young age. Recognizing the importance of family, she ensured that her teaching responsibilities for Master’s and Doctorate courses were scheduled after school hours and were not daily, allowing her to maintain a presence in her children’s lives. Additionally, she has committed to not working on weekends when she is not traveling, preserving quality family time.
Despite her role as a leader, Maria emphasizes the importance of teamwork. She acknowledges that while she contributes to the success of projects through innovation, her partners play a significant role in that success. This collaborative approach underscores her belief in the power of collective effort and mutual support in achieving goals.
Maria offers valuable advice to young professional and executive women: do not be afraid to introduce new ideas to what you have studied. She encourages continuous learning through research, study, and experimentation. By integrating fresh perspectives and innovative thinking, women can enhance their professional contributions and drive progress in their fields.
Maria’s journey illustrates that balancing a successful career with personal fulfillment is achievable through thoughtful planning and prioritization. Her leadership, combined with her dedication to family and collaborative success, serves as an inspiring model for professionals striving to excel in both their personal and professional lives.
Strategizing Economic Development in Angola
Maria, with her extensive experience and insight, outlines a strategic plan for the economic development of Angola, a country almost the size of three of the G5 nations combined—Germany, France, and Italy. She identifies five key priorities essential for the nation’s growth and prosperity.
- Infrastructure Development: The first priority is the construction of new basic infrastructures. This includes roads, railroads, bridges, dams, and an irrigation system network. Currently, Angola utilizes only 10% of its 58 million acres of arable land. By improving infrastructure, the population will no longer be concentrated near riverbanks or the sea, addressing the issue of potable water scarcity in the countryside and unlocking the vast agricultural potential of the inland regions.
- Investment in Human Capital: The second priority is to invest more in human capital. Enhancing education, vocational training, and healthcare systems is crucial to developing a skilled and healthy workforce that can drive economic growth and innovation.
- Investment in Research: The third priority is to bolster research initiatives. Investing in research will foster innovation and provide data-driven solutions to the country’s unique challenges, supporting sustainable development and technological advancement.
- Attracting Investment for Agro-Industry: The fourth priority is to attract more investment in the agro-industry. Developing this sector is vital for diversifying the economy, ensuring food security, and creating employment opportunities. This involves modernizing agricultural practices and establishing value chains from production to export.
- Adding Value to Raw Materials: The fifth priority is to add value to raw materials before export. Historically, Angola has exported raw commodities such as precious metals, oil and gas, coffee, and palm oil. By processing these materials domestically, Angola can enhance its export revenues and stimulate industrial growth.
Maria remains committed to contributing to Angola’s development through her law firm and various leadership roles. She is on the Board of Directors of Angola’s leading beer company and other beverage enterprises previously owned by Heineken and now part of the French Castel Group. Her influence extends to the agro-industry, where she leads an integrated chain that spans from coffee and corn production to the exportation of commodities. Under her leadership, the company has successfully started exporting Belo Horizonte corn flour to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a market with over 100 million inhabitants.
Maria’s strategic vision and multifaceted contributions are instrumental in driving Angola’s economic development, positioning the nation for a sustainable and prosperous future.
