Angola

Absa Group's CEO Kenny Fihla reported that the group is pursuing expansion plans in several African countries, including Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, and Angola. Furthermore, Absa is exploring converting its representative office in Nigeria into a merchant bank. These discussions follow the group reporting net income of 12.58 billion rand for the first half-year.

Unitel, Angola's dominant mobile operator, experienced a cyberattack that caused outages on the day of its public offering. The attack occurred hours before the government-owned telco's IPO.

China's US$900 million port deal in Angola highlights its growing influence in Africa, where it competes with the United States. Former US president Joe Biden and his successor Donald Trump have both promoted investments in Angola's Lobito Atlantic Railway to counter Chinese presence.

Angola generated US$8.91 billion from crude exports in Q2 2026, a 54.71% increase year-on-year. China accounted for 51.67% of Angola's crude oil cargoes during the period.

Angola's largest telecommunications operator is experiencing severe disruption for a second day due to a cyberattack that impacted voice calls, mobile data, and internet access nationwide.

Angola convicted Russians Igor Ratchin and Lev Lakshtanov on 21 July 2026 for terrorism and espionage, sentencing them to 11 and 8 years respectively. Prosecutors linked them to 'Africa Politology,' a group with Wagner-era roots, and alleged they paid over $24,000 to local journalists.

José Eduardo Van-Dúnem dos Santos was selected by Angola's MPLA to succeed Augustinho Neto in 1979. By 2010, dos Santos had been in power for 31 years, described as 'shy and retreating.'

The author, Shannon O'Brien, has lived in 12 countries and reflects on the emotional toll of frequent relocations, including feelings of loneliness and being a perpetual foreigner even when returning to the US. She highlights challenges like starting over in new places, logistical difficulties, and the accumulation of goodbyes.

Angola’s central bank added China’s yuan to its reserve currencies in July 2026, and major lenders BFA and BAI are preparing to join China’s CIPS cross-border payment system. Chinese loan commitments to Angola exceed $42 billion, representing 40% of its external debt.

Angola signed a $900 million deal with two private Chinese investors to develop a free trade zone, allocating half the funds to build a port terminal and the other half to infrastructure. The investment aims to diversify Angola's oil-dependent economy, with projects including a Chinese-backed aluminum plant and cooking oil refinery.

Anglo American selected the Global Diamond Consortium, led by Gareth Penny, as its preferred bidder for an 85% stake in De Beers. Botswana, which holds the remaining 15% stake and pre-emptive rights, is evaluating its participation options, with potential involvement from Angola and Namibia. De Beers announced a two-year production halt at its Venetia mine amid declining rough diamond demand due to lab-grown competition.

Angola’s Ministry of Health announced 6,000 health-sector job openings funded by the General State Budget. Over 170,000 online applications were submitted within a week, resulting in a 28:1 applicant-to-position ratio.

Angola and the UAE's non-oil trade reached $2.1 billion in 2024, a 3% increase. A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in August 2025 aims to boost trade to over $10 billion by 2033, with the UAE pledging $6.5 billion in investments.

Angola's central bank, Banco Nacional de Angola, added the Chinese yuan to its list of eligible reserve currencies effective 6 July 2026. Commercial banks can now hold mandatory reserves in US dollars, euros, South African rand, and yuan. Angola also owes China roughly US$17 billion in debt.

A US-backed $753m railway project from Angola to Congo highlights competition between Washington, Africa, a Lusophone builder, and China over critical metals like cobalt. The project is positioned as a strategic move to counter China's influence in the region.

Angola's Lobito railway has received fresh funding as the United States and China compete for control over Africa's cobalt and copper resources. This competition has implications for global supply chains and Latin America.

At least seventeen people died and thirty-five were injured in 129 incidents across Angola over the weekend, according to the Civil Protection and Fire Service (SPCB).

Angolan President João Lourenço congratulated the people and Government of Cabo Verde on the country's 50th Anniversary of national independence. The celebration was marked on Sunday.

Angola initiates the IPO roadshow for Unitel, selling 15% of the telecom company seized from Isabel dos Santos on the Luanda exchange.

The United States has withdrawn most forces deployed for a May operation against Islamic State militants in Nigeria, now providing intelligence support at Nigeria's request. The operation killed ISIS second-in-command Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and degraded the group's leadership, with AFRICOM highlighting the partnership as a model for African security cooperation.

The UN warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa could cost $3.6 billion and hundreds of thousands of jobs, with the Bundibugyo strain—lacking a vaccine or treatment—having infected 1,300 people and killed over 300 in DR Congo since May 15. The outbreak risks spreading to Rwanda and Angola, compounded by dwindling medical supplies and vaccine delays.

Angola is selling stakes in its major state-owned companies, including Unitel and Sonangol, as part of a privatization effort aimed at reducing economic dependence on oil.

Members of Angola's National Assembly rejected an urgent debate on rising international oil prices and alleged fuel shortages. The rejection occurred on Thursday in Luanda.

Eastern Angola's highlands, particularly the Moxico provinces, remain understudied due to decades of isolation caused by the country's prolonged civil war. The region is noted for its biodiversity, culture, and historical significance, with Angola's political history contributing to its isolation.

Rwanda's RSSB Tigers won the 2026 Basketball Africa League, defeating Angola's Petro de Luanda 90-88 in Kigali. The NBA-backed league attracted record crowds during the event.

Music distributors are connecting Brazil, Portugal, and Portuguese-speaking Africa into a unified market. ONErpm, a firm that succeeded in Brazil’s streaming market, is opening an office in Luanda, Angola’s capital, while Apple Music highlighted Luanda in its 2026 Africa Month programming.

Angola's Lobito railway has received its first copper shipment from Congo since floods disrupted the line, reviving the West's primary route for African critical minerals. The reopening marks a recovery of the mineral transportation corridor after previous closures.

A potential US-Iran agreement could lead to the Strait of Hormuz reopening, potentially lowering energy, fertilizer, and food prices in Africa. Oil exporters like Nigeria and Angola may face reduced revenue as a result.

A 19-year-old Tangipahoa Parish Jail inmate, Donnie Stevenson, escaped from the courthouse by climbing over a gate, prompting a 30-minute search before he was found hiding under a truck. Stevenson, awaiting trial for first-degree rape and other charges, has a prior escape incident in December, and a deputy was placed on leave as investigations continue.

France’s digital interference watchdog, Viginum, linked Israeli company BlackCore to online influence campaigns targeting elections and political figures in France, Scotland, Angola, Togo, and New York City. The report details the use of automated accounts, data leaks, and fabricated allegations against individuals like John Swinney and candidates from La France Insoumise, with similar methods found in New York City’s municipal elections, though sponsors remain unclear.

Angola's oil export revenue decreased by 22% to $24.4 billion in 2025 due to weakened crude prices. The decline highlights the need for diversification in Africa's second-largest oil producer.

France's disinformation detection service Viginum accuses Israeli firm BlackCore of interfering in France's March local elections, as well as in New York City and Scotland, and of operating in Angola and Togo. The allegations involve election meddling by BlackCore.

An Israeli tech firm, BlackCore, is accused of interfering in elections in Scotland and New York, as well as targeting left-wing candidates in France's 2026 municipal elections. The firm's activities were identified by France's disinformation detection service, Viginum, and are under investigation by French prosecutors and domestic intelligence agencies.

At least 100 people with albinism participated in a skin cancer screening campaign at the Comandante Raul Arguelles General Hospital in Cuanza-Sul province, Angola.

The Angolan Health Ministry (MINSA) has trained over 660 healthcare professionals in hospital management, health statistics, and data analysis to enhance healthcare facility governance and service quality.

Africa CDC warns ten additional African countries are at risk as the Ebola outbreak spreads. Uganda confirms new cases, while three Red Cross volunteers died in eastern DR Congo. Attacks on Ebola treatment centers in Mongbwalu and Rwampara forced suspected cases to flee.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's tough-on-crime policies, including harsher penalties for minors and reduced parole opportunities, are projected to increase prison populations and taxpayer costs. His proposed $798 million corrections budget reflects a 9% rise in spending, driven by longer inmate stays and aging, sicker prisoners due to policy changes like eliminating medical parole.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's tough-on-crime policies are expected to significantly increase the state's prison population and corrections costs, with a proposed $798 million budget representing a 9% increase. The policies include lowering the age of adult criminal responsibility to 17, reducing parole rates to a 20-year low, and eliminating medical parole, with experts predicting the prison population could double by 2034.

Angola's minerals minister announced the country will attract mining investment through favorable conditions rather than implementing export restrictions or quotas like other African nations. Angola is also pursuing a minority stake in De Beers that would grant it board representation, while Botswana separately seeks a majority stake in the diamond company.

The IMF warns that demand for Angola's bonds may decrease if a war with Iran continues. The National Bank of Angola is monitoring the situation. A prolonged conflict could negatively impact Angola's economy.