Country Profile
Angola is the seventh largest country in Africa with a size of 1,246,700 sq. km. It is located in the Atlantic coast of southern Africa to the south of Equator and borders Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Angola has a 1650 km long coastline with three main ports (Luanda, Lobito and Namibe). The port of Lobito is connected to the Benguela railway which links the Atlantic coast of Angola to the DRC and Zambia. Other ports include Porto Amboim, Port of Cabinda, and Port of Soyo.
The capital city of Angola is Luanda on the north coast that blends Portuguese-style with traditional African housing styles and modern industrial complexes. Angola has an estimated population of 37. 8 million (2024). The official language is Portuguese, with Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, and Chokwe being some of the locally used languages.
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic stability in Angola has been enhanced through a more flexible exchange rate regime, central bank autonomy, sound monetary policy, and fiscal consolidation. Laws have been introduced to allow greater private sector participation in the economy, increasing the stability of the financial sector.
In 2022, GDP Growth accelerated to 3% thanks to expansion in non-oil sectors and a small rebound in oil production. Higher oil prices allowed for fiscal expansion, especially in public investments, and appreciation of the domestic currency, underpinning strengthening domestic demand and generating a 7% growth in private consumption.
Legal and Political System
Angola has a multiparty democracy with an Executive Presidency composed of the following State bodies: The President of the Republic, the National Assembly, the Government and the Courts.
With a unicameral legislative system, Angola’s National Assembly has 223 seats. Its members are elected under a system of proportional representation by universal suffrage for a five-year term.
Angola’s legal system is based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism.
General Information
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Official name |
Republic of Angola |
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Capital |
Luanda |
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Area: |
1,246,700 sq. km (World data) |
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Population (2024) |
37.8 million (World meter) |
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Languages |
Portuguese, Umbundu, Kikongo Kimbundu, Chokwe |
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Currency |
Angolan Kwanza (Kz) |
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GDP (2022) |
106.78billion (World bank) |
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GDP per capita (current US$) 2022 |
3,000.4 (World bank) |
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GDP growth (annual %) 2022 |
3 ((World bank) |
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Main Exports 2021 |
Crude Petroleum, Petroleum gas, Diamonds, Refined petroleum and Asphalt mixtures (OEC) |
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Main imports 2021 |
Refined petroleum, Wheat, Poultry Meat, Rice, and Cars (OEC) |
Why Invest in Angola?
a) Wide Market Access
Angola has ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) which aims to facilitate imports and exports among member countries with lower or no tariffs, free access to the market and market information, and the elimination of trade barriers. The AfCFTA is the world's largest free trade agreement with 55 member states, comprising a population of 2.67 billion.
Angola is also a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which has 16 Member States comprising 381 million consumers. Further, Angola has a trade and investment framework agreement with the United States, as well as agreements with Argentina, Cuba and Ecuador. In Europe, agreements exist with Spain, Russia, Hungary, Portugal, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Romania. Agreements in Asia are with South Korea, India, China and Vietnam. Israel is the only Middle Eastern country with a trade agreement with Angola.
Angola also has bilateral investment agreements in force with Cabo Verde, Germany, Italy, and Russia.
b) Well Established Infrastructure
Angola has a large road network, especially around Luanda and in the coast. The total size of the Angola road network is around 76,000 km. The classified network is around 43,655 km in length or 58% of the total road network. This classified road network includes around 26,000 km of fundamental roads which connect the capital to the 18 provinces and the main cities to each other and to around 17,500 km of complementary roads.
Angola’s aviation system consists of 52 airports with paved runways. The Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport just outside Luanda is the country’s busiest airport and serves international and domestic airlines. TAAG Angola Airlines is the national flag-carrying airline of Angola and one of the most successful airlines in Africa.
The Angolan rail network stretches over approximately 2 700 kilometres and connect the Atlantic coast to the interior of the country. The three separate rail lines are the Luanda Railways (located in the north), Benguela Railways (located in the central part of Angola), and Mocamedes Railways (located in the south).
c) Availability of Mineral Resources
Angola is one of the richest states in terms of natural resources. It has abundant untapped mineral deposits of Petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, bauxite, uranium, gold, granite, copper, magnesium, feldspar and ornamental rocks.
d) Availability of Labour
Angola’s workforce is estimated around 16 million people available for the labour market, representing an activity rate of 89.8%.
e) Culture
The country has a very rich culture and extremely friendly people. The food in Angola is delicious which is a mix of different Portuguese, Brazilian and African dishes.
f) Electronic Private Investment Processing System
Angola has an electronic tool SETIP that serves to automate the process of processing private investment proposals and the interaction between investors and public administration bodies with influence on the private investment procedure. Through this platform, investors can:
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Submit investment proposals from anywhere in the world;
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Complete the application in stages and submit only when they wish;
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Make corrections to the application without having to contact AIPEX;
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Monitor the progress of the application online;
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Be notified via email about the status of the application;
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Access the services provided by AIPEX.
Angola's Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency (AIPEX)
AIPEX was created under Presidential Decree nº 81/18, resulting from the merger of the Technical Unit for Private Investment (UTIP) and the Agency for Investment and Export Promotion of Angola (APIEX)
It is dedicated to promoting exports, attracting private investment, registering investment proposals, institutional support and monitoring the execution of investment projects and internationalization of Angolan companies.
Its main responsibilities are:
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Promote and attract private investments of internal and external origin capable of contributing to the socio-economic development of Angola;
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Ensure the reception and monitoring of private investment proposals to be made in Angola;
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Promote the attraction of foreign direct investment for strategic sectors of the national economy;
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Promote the increase and diversification of exports of products and services from Angola;
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Contribute to the creation of favourable conditions for private investment in Angola;
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Supervise and control the execution of approved private investment projects;
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Execute policies and programs to replace imports and increase exports.
AIPEX is the investor's sole interlocutor at all stages of the investment process. Through institutional coordination, it supports investors, monitors investment proposals and ensures the conditions for the successful execution of investment projects.
Investment Incentives
Private Investment Law
The Private Investment Law of 2021 seeks to incentivize incoming investment. The incentives include:
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Elimination of the minimum investment value and the value required to qualify for incentives in foreign and local investments, previously set at USD 1,000,000 and USD 500,000 respectively. There is no lower limit to invest and qualify for incentives;
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Elimination of the obligation for foreign investors to establish a partnership with an Angolan entity with at least a 35 percent stake in the capital structure of investments in the electricity and water, tourism, transport and logistics, construction, media, telecommunications and IT sectors. Under the new law, investors will decide on their capital structure and origin;
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Granting to foreign investors “the right and guarantee to transfer abroad” dividends or distributed profits, the proceeds of the liquidation of their investments, capital gains, the proceeds of indemnities and royalties, or other income from remuneration of indirect investments related to technology transfer after proof of implementation of the project and payment of all tax dues;
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Allows for negotiations of tax incentives between state and potential investors.
Investment incentives are now granted by AIPEX, the State’s investment agency; the president had that responsibility under the 2015 investment law. Companies need to apply for such incentives when submitting an investment application to AIPEX and the relevant ministry.
Free Trade Zones
The Free Trade Zones Law (FTZL) was passed in October 12, 2020. The FTZL establishes benefits to be offered to investors by the Angolan Government in exchange for meeting specific monetary, job creation, or other investment requirements on a per contract basis. Investors are granted use of the Free Zone for 25 years and can receive industrial tax and VAT benefits, customs rights, as well as land and capital benefits for investing in a Free Zone. Investments made in Free Zones must consider environmental protection interests.
Investors are allowed to carry out industrial activities, agriculture, technology activities, as well as commercial and service activities. It is possible to carry out other activities which are not specified by the FTZL, provided that such activities target an international market and relevant authorities authorize the activities. Industrial activities should use Angolan raw materials and be focused on exports).
Tax Benefits under the Prior Declaration Regime
|
Type of Tax |
Period |
Reduction |
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Property for the Acquisition of Properties |
AT |
50% |
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Industrial •General at 25% •Agriculture at 10% •Provisional at 2% |
2 years |
20% |
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Tax without capital investment |
2 years |
25% |
This regime includes investment proposals framed in non-priority sectors. The tax benefits in this regime include
Special Diet Regime
This includes Investment proposals framed in priority sectors. The benefits include:
Tax benefits under the special regime
|
Tax |
Zone A |
Zone B |
Zone C |
Zone D |
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Acquisition of properties intended for investment (Property) (two%) |
50% for a period of 2 years |
75% |
85% |
92.5% |
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Industrial Tax (General, Agriculture, Provisional) (25%;10%,2%) |
20% for a period of 2 years |
60% for a period of 4 years |
80% for a period of 8 years |
90% for a period of 8 years |
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Application of capital (10%) |
25% for a period of 2 years |
60% for a period of 4 years |
80% for a period of 8 years |
90% for a period of 8 years |
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Ownership of properties intended for investment (Property) (0.5% < AKZ 5 million) |
AT |
50% for a period of 4 years |
75% for a period of 8 years |
82.5% for a period of 8 years |
Contractual Regime
Projects with a structural impact on the country’s economic development are entitled to incentives upon negotiation of benefits and incentives between the Investor and the Angolan Government which include:
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Reduction of industrial tax rates (final and provisional), Urban Property Tax, Capital Investment Tax and Stamp Tax, for a period of up to 15 years;
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Tax credit of up to 50% of the investment value, for a period of up to 10 years;
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Increase in amortization and reinstatement rates of up to 80%, for a maximum period of 10 years, for projects located in development zones B, C and D.
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Deferral in tax payment time;
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Consider as a cost 80% of the value of investment expenses intended for the creation of infrastructure, necessary for the execution of the project, which by its nature must be provided by the state;
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Exemption from paying customs duties on the import of goods and equipment necessary for the execution of the project, with the exception of VAT;
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Exemption from paying taxes and fees due for any service requested, including customs, by a non-business public entity, only for projects covered by the special regime;
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Assistance in the implementation of projects at all stages of the investment process through the Single Investor Window.
Investment Opportunities
a) Energy
Angola is a major oil-exporting country and an OPEC member. Increasing the access to electric power is a high priority for the Government of Angola, which has set targets of 9.9 gigawatts (GW) of installed generation capacity and a 60% electrification rate by 2025.
Opportunities exist in:
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b) Agriculture
Angola has an abundance of arable land and a diversity of climatic conditions that are suitable for producing a variety of agricultural products. Investment opportunities exist in production of:
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c) Infrastructure
Angola’s government seeks to modernize transportation and telecommunication networks.
Opportunities exist in:
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d) Manufacturing
Manufacturing industry in Angola is characterized by heavy and light manufacturing. The development of a comprehensive industrialisation programme is a key priority of Angola’s National Development Plan.
Opportunities exist in:
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e) Mining
Angola is rich in mineral resources such as diamonds, iron, gold, copper petroleum, phosphates, bauxite, uranium, granite, magnesium, feldspar and ornamental rocks.
Opportunities exist in:
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Exploration;
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Development;
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Processing.
Starting a Business
Forms of Business
When setting up a company in Angola, one has the following options:
Sole Trader
A person can carry out a commercial activity on their own, being classified as a trader. Under this form of business, the business is inseparable from the person who constitutes it.
Limited Liability Company
In this form of business, the liability of the members is limited to the number of shares issued.
Branch Office
This is a foreign company registered in Angola as a branch office.
Company Registration Procedure
Business registrations in Angola can be done in person at the GUE offices and online through the single window portal.
For online registrations via the Single Window portal applicants are required to create a user account, apply for company registration by filling the online forms, upload the necessary documents and pay the required fees.
Company Registration Requirements
Individuals:
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Legal Entity:
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Branch Office:
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Documents from the parent company (commercial certificate, publication);
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Deliberative minutes of the parent company (containing the decision to open the Branch or Representative Office);
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Power of attorney for the representative.
Fees
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Limited liability company11,000 Kz;
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Public limited company 41,000Kz.
Deed fees where applicable
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Limited liability company 3250 Kz;
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Public limited company 13,250 Kz.
Other Registrations
Various licences will be issued to the registered business depending on the business activity via the single window portal.
Taxation
a) Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
Levied, currently at a 25% rate, on the profits deriving from business activities carried out in Angola by resident entities or non-resident entities with a tax permanent establishment (PE), as defined by Angolan domestic legislation.
b) Withholding Tax
WHT is applicable on payments of services (some exemptions apply) at the rate of 6.5%. For Angolan taxpayers, the tax is regarded as an advanced payment of the CIT due at the year-end; the deduction of these WHTs against CIT payable is subject to acceptance by the Angola tax authorities. For non-resident companies, this is a final tax.
c) Individual - Taxes on Personal Income
The Personal Income Tax (PIT) Code foresees, with the respective specificities, the segmentation of income into Groups, namely:
Group A: Generally applicable to the income earned by employees.
Group B: Income earned by self-employed workers.
Group C: Income earned by individuals carrying out an industrial or commercial activity listed in the minimum profits table in force.
For Group A, there are progressive income tax rates up to 25%, as follows:
|
Income (AOA) |
Payable tax (AOA) |
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Up to 70,000 |
Exempt |
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Between 70,001 and 100,000 |
3,000 + 10% upon the excess of 70,000 |
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Between 100,001 and 150,000 |
6,000 + 13% upon the excess of 100,000 |
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Between 150,001 and 200,000 |
12,500 + 16% upon the excess of 150,000 |
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Between 200,001 and 300,000 |
31,250 + 18% upon the excess of 200,000 |
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Between 300,001 and 500,000 |
49,250 + 19% upon the excess of 300,000 |
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Between 500,001 and 1,000,000 |
87,250 + 20% upon the excess of 500,000 |
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Between 1,000,001 and 1,500,000 |
187,250 + 21% upon the excess of 1,000,000 |
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Between 1,500,001 and 2,000,000 |
292,250 + 22% upon the excess of 1,500,000 |
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Between 2,000,001 and 2,500,000 |
402,250 + 23% upon the excess of 2,000,000 |
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Between 2,500,001 and 5,000,000 |
517,250 + 24% upon the excess of 2,500,000 |
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Between 5,000,001 and 10,000,000 |
1,117,250 + 24.5% upon the excess of 5,000,000 |
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More than 10,000,001 |
2,342,250 + 25% upon the excess of 10,000, |
d) Value Added Tax
The standard VAT rate is 14%, and VAT has a broad tax base.
Immigration Procedures
Visas
Visas are obtained online via the visa portal. Upon approval the e-visa is email led to the applicant.
Types of Visas
a) Tourist Visa
The tourist visa is granted by the Angolan diplomatic and consular missions to foreign citizens who wish to enter the Republic of Angola, on a recreational, sporting or cultural visit.
b) Ordinary Visa
Granted by the Angolan diplomatic and consular missions to foreign citizens and is intended to allow entry into Angola for family reasons and business prospecting. This visa must be used within 60 days, following the date of its granting and allows the holder to stay for up to 30 days and can be extended twice, for the same period of time.
c) Privileged Visa
This is granted to the foreign citizen investor, representative or attorney of an investing company, by the Angolan diplomatic and consular missions and is intended to allow the entry of its holder into Angola, for the purposes of implementing and executing the approved investment proposal, under the terms of the Private Investment Law. This visa must be used within 60 days following the date of its granting and allows its holder multiple entries and a stay of up to 2 years, extendable for equal periods of time.
Visa Requirements:
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Work Visa
An Angola work visa is issued to foreign citizens who are willing to work in the country. The various types of work visa include:
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Type A work visa which is granted for carrying out professional activity at the service of a public institution or company;
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Type B work visa which is granted for carrying out independent professional activities, providing services, sports and culture;
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Type C work visa which is granted for carrying out professional activity in the oil, mining and civil construction sectors;
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Type D work visa which is granted for carrying out professional activity in the commerce, industry, fisheries, maritime and aeronautical sectors;
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Type E work visa which is granted to carry out activities within the scope of cooperation agreements;
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Type F work visa which is granted for carrying out professional activity in any other sector not provided for in the previous paragraphs.
Work Visa Requirements:
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Note: All the documents mentioned above must be translated into Portuguese.
Residence Permit
An Angola residence permit allows one to stay in the country for longer than one year. To apply for an Angola residence permit, one must submit the requested documents to the Angola Immigrant department or the embassy of Angola. There are two types of residence permits in Angola you can apply for depending on how long you plan on staying in the country:
Temporary Residence Permit
A temporary residence permit is issued to applicants who are planning to stay in the country from one to three years.
Permanent Residence Permit
A permanent residence permit is issued to applicants who have stayed in the country for ten years with a temporary residence permit.
Fees
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Visa type |
Visa fee ($) |
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Transit visa |
50 |
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Tourist Visa |
70 |
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Short term visa |
80 |
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Ordinary visa |
100 |
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Business visa |
100 |
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Privileged visa |
250 |
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Work Visa |
250 |
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Temporary stay visa |
150 |
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Visa for establishing residence |
200 |
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Student visa |
150 |
Useful Contacts
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AIPEX https://www.aipex.gov.ao/PortalAIPEX/#!/ KN10, R. Kwame Nkrumah 10, Luanda - Angola Município de Belas - Luanda geral@aipex.gov.ao +244 222 39 14 34 +244 222 33 12 52 |
Guiché Único da Empresa Avenida Dr. Agostinho Neto, Nova Marginal Ingombota AAA Building - RC & 2nd Floor +244 222 760 684 | +244 222 760 685 +244 222 760 681 (Call Centre) +244 938 717 940 (WhatsApp) support@gue-sede.ao
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Ministry of Justice and Human and Rights Rua 17 de setembro, Luanda- Angola Portal.dse.contactos@gmai.com SME – Migration and Foreigners Service Amílcar Cabral Street – Maianga District – Luanda Municipality Luanda, Angola |
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