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ANGOLA
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ANGOLA
INTRODUCTION
• From independence and Civil War to oil riches:
president J.e. dos santos
BUSINESS & INVESTMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
3
• eu Delegation acting head highlights investment
opportunities
5
• angola Benefits from over a Decade of peace and
stability
6
• imF representative praises macroeconomic
progress but urges structural reform
8
• Dutch ambassador outlines exceptional
investment opportunities
10
• Both angola and eu Benefit from
Closer relations
11
GOVERNMENT
• Development and Democracy:
angola’s Government
• minister of industry Cites Vast potential in
Diverse sectors
17
• investing in angola: it’s not Just oil anymore
18
• hse-ap
19
EDUCATION
• higher education a top priority
21
• angola making education a priority
22
ENERGY & MINING
• ministry ready to partner with mining investors
24
• angola aims to more than triple power
Generation Capacity
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TOURISM
ANGOLA
• tourists and Wildlife return to angola
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• ilhamar hotel
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• hotel Continental
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• Grup hotel Golden park
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regional Director: aukje oostendorp – regional manager: Carleen Krug – project manager: maarten pennings –
editorial: emily emerson-Le moing, andrew Burger – translator: Vera melo – Design: martine Vandervoort, Johny
Verstegen, Walter Vranken, Dirk Van Bun
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the european times
introduction
From independence and Civil War to
oil riches: president dos santos
© Agência Brasil
Angola has known just two presidents since
winning a 13-year long war of independence
from Portugal in 1974. The first, Antonio
Agostinho Neto, led the Popular Movement
for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in the
Angolan War of Independence and the early
years of the Angolan Civil War, which lasted
from 1975-2002. Taking control of the capital,
Luanda, in November, 1975, Neto and the MPLA
established a one-party state and socialist
economy.
angola’s second president, José eduardo dos santos, took
office in 1979 upon neto’s death from cancer in moscow
at the age of 57. one of the longest serving government
leaders on the african continent, José eduardo dos santos,
now 81, continues to serve as angola’s president to this day,
having paved the way for angola’s first multi-party elections,
winning the most recent in 2012.
Like his predecessor, José eduardo dos santos’ organisational
and political instincts and skills were developed and honed
during the long, bitter, and divisive struggle for independence,
the ensuing civil war, and the mpLa’s consolidation of power.
From humble origins to national
leadership
Born august 28, 1942, president dos santos rose from
humble origins. his father was a retired mason and his
mother a homemaker. the president-in-the-making first
became politically active in the early 1950s while a student
at salvador Correia national Lyceum. the mpLa was
born at that time, providing fresh impetus to the national
liberation movement, with dos santos taking an active
part in the operations of underground groups in Luanda’s
suburbs.
José Eduardo dos Santos, President
returning to angola from the soviet union, where he
earned a degree in petroleum engineering and received
military training, dos santos was able to apply the skills and
knowledge he acquired as Chief of the northern Front’s
communication centre from 1970-1974.
Dos santos continued to move up the ranks of the mpLa as
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ANGOLA
© Alan Gignoux-Dreamstime.com
sector
the war of independence drew to a close and rival political
parties’ militias vied with the mpLa for control of the
nation. in June 1975, he was appointed the mpLa’s Coordinator of Foreign affairs. three months later, president
neto supported dos santos’s election to the mpLa Central
Committee and membership in the political Bureau.
Following angola’s declaration of independence from
portugal on november 11, 1975, dos santos was appointed
angola’s minister of Foreign affairs. During his tenure,
angola was admitted as a full member to both the organisation of african unity (oau) and the united nations.
Following president neto’s death in 1979, José eduardo dos
santos was elected chairman of the mpLa and angola’s
second president. inheriting a fledgling socialist nation in the
midst of civil war, dos santos nonetheless took the first steps
to reform and open up the political system to other parties
and move angola toward a market-based economy.
namibia winning its independence in 1990 opened the way
to peace, if not reconciliation. the cessation of violence
and hostilities enabled dos santos to continue political and
economic reforms.
the mpLa won a majority of seats in angola’s supreme legislative body in 1992, the country’s first multi-party elections.
Dos santos received 49.57% of all votes for the presidency.
For a second time, dos santos was chosen to lead angola.
through civil war to oil riches
the civil war continued to cause strife and divided
angola for another ten years. the country has come a
long way since the signing of the peace accord in 2002.
4
During president dos santos’ time in office, angola’s
economy has been one of the fastest growing in the
world, expanding at an estimated average 11.1% rate per
year from 2001-2010.
the primary driver of economic growth and government
revenue during president dos santos’ tenure has been oil
exploration and production, almost all of which is taking
place offshore. angola’s net oil export revenue totalled an
estimated us$68 billion in 2012, and has come to account
for some 80% of government revenue and grants.
With oil flowing from offshore fields discovered in the
1990s, oil production increased an average 15% per year
from 2002-2008, with angola becoming the second-largest
oil producer in sub-saharan africa over the past decade.
in 2013, angola produced 1.7 million barrels of crude oil
per day, with much of it exported to China, the country’s
largest trading partner.
responding to those who say that the president has failed
to deliver an oil dividend to the vast majority of angolans,
José eduardo dos santos in 2012 established a sovereign
wealth fund and began funnelling oil revenues from
sonangol, the state oil company and industry regulator,
into it. the fund’s primary purpose is to make investments
that will benefit and provide some financial security for all
angolans, as well as insulate the economy from the vicissitudes of global oil markets.
having led angola from the depths of civil war through
economic and political liberalisation to oil riches, president
dos santos is now focussed on cementing the gains made to
date, addressing international and domestic criticism, and
building for the future. that includes paving the way for a
new leader of the mpLa and for angola.
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introduction
eu Delegation acting head
highlights investment opportunities
Carolina Cordeiro, Acting Head of the EU Delegation to Angola,
discusses recent progresses the country has made.
European Times: Can you tell us
about the relationship between
the EU and Angola?
Carolina Cordeiro: We have been
working with angola for many years,
first to provide humanitarian aid
and then to assist the economic and
social development in the country.
in that sense, we are targeting social
sectors where our assistance is most
needed, particularly in the fields of
rural development, education, water
and sanitation, and energy. But over
the past 10 years angola’s economy
has been developing rapidly and we
are adapting our activities here to
respond to that. We are putting the
focus on stronger political cooperation as well as stronger economic partnerships which involve the transfer
of technology and know-how. We are
working to redefine our relationship
with angola for the future in order to
adapt to the country’s needs.
European Times: Can you
highlight some major recent
developments?
Caroline
Cordeiro:
angola’s
economy has developed tremendously over the past decade and we
believe that the country has significant growth prospects. the country
still presents specific challenges in
terms of institutional capacity, development of a domestic market, and
1
bringing the benefits of development to people all over the country.
however, great progress has been
made. angola has also demonstrated
an ability to maintain political
stability and the democratic process,
and we fully support the angolan
government in its efforts. angola’s
second elections were an important
step forward.
European Times: Can you single
out some high-potential sectors
for investors?
Caroline Cordeiro: there are significant opportunities in all sectors.
the services, iCt, transport, medical
and pharmaceutical, agriculture and
energy sectors, just to name a few,
have great potential, and we have
already seen strong european investment in the construction and banking
sector. european companies are
welcome here because of the technology transfer and know-how they
can bring.
European Times: What is your
personal message to potential
investors?
Caroline Cordeiro: First of all,
after its long civil war, angola has
managed to maintain peace and
security, achieve national reconciliation and a multi-party democratic government. this is a signifi-
Carolina Cordeiro, Acting Head of the EU
Delegation to Angola
cant achievement investors should
be aware of. at the same time, the
country has experienced robust
growth and further economic reforms
aim to consolidate this positive record.
my advice is that potential investors
should come to angola, meet local
people and learn about the country
and its challenges and opportunities.
they should establish fruitful partnerships in angola. angola definitely
merits the attention of the international business community.
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the
european
times
© neil
walton
ANGOLA
introduction
angola Benefits from over a
Decade of peace and stability
Serious problems and challenges remain, but
duction and foreign direct investment, as well as trade with
China, international lending, and foreign aid.
– has made significant strides in economic and
many challenges remain, however. effectively a
one-party democracy, president José eduardo dos santos
has ruled the country since 1979. though flush with cash
from oil revenues, a large percentage of the population
continues to live below the poverty line and still lacks
access to reliable supplies of clean water, electricity, or
basic sanitary and health services. Despite a tropical
climate, ample freshwater resources, fertile soils, and a
predominantly rural population, half the country’s food
needs are met by imports.
Angola – now one of Africaʼs largest oil producers
social development over the last ten years.
rich in ecological and cultural diversity, as well as natural
resources and economic opportunity, angola still remains
largely unknown and unexplored by international businesses
and tourists. Yet the history of angola, and the events now
taking place in this country on the western edge of africa,
offer the world a salutary example of geopolitics and socioeconomic development in africa in microcosm, replete with
promise, successes and heartbreaks.
an independent angola has emerged from the aftermath of
more than 40 years of war and civil strife – first the angolan
War of independence, which lasted from 1961 till 1974, then
the angolan Civil War, which began in 1975 and ended in
2002.
angola today holds all the promise and potential, as well as
pitfalls and paradox, inherent in developing nations across
the african continent. Benefiting from over a decade and
counting of relative peace and stability, life in angola has
improved substantially for many, fuelled by booming oil pro-
6
Furthermore, the rapid influx of oil money and capital has
been a two-edged sword, engendering something of a getrich-quick, winner-take-all mentality that has led to corruption and a very unequal distribution of income, wealth and
benefits across the country.
rising from the ashes of a 27-year
civil war
it’s difficult for anyone who didn’t experience it to fully appreciate the devastation and despair caused by the angolan
War of independence and the subsequent angolan Civil
War. the latter served as a proxy war for the Cold War era’s
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sector
Luanda
two superpowers, the us and the ussr, and drew in other
countries as well, including south africa and Cuba.
it is estimated that as many as 1.5 million people lost their lives,
more than 4 million – one-third of the entire population – were
internally displaced and another 0.5 million fled the country
during the angolan Civil War. What remained in the aftermath
was an all but totally destroyed infrastructure, a deeply torn
social fabric, damaged ecosystems, and a devastated economy.
much has changed since then, and for the better. international loans and foreign aid from governments around the
world began flowing into angola in the wake of the signing
of a peace accord in 2002, while the discovery of vast oil
deposits off the coast and in northern Cabinda touched off a
modern-day bonanza.
economic activity skyrocketed, with national GDp growing
more than 17% per year from 2004-2008. angola’s economy
was one of the fastest growing in the world over the first decade
of the new millennium, with the economist estimating that
angola’s GDp rose an average 11.1% from 2001-2010.
representing 45.1% of GDp and some 80% of government revenue, oil exploration and production, along with
China trade, international loans, foreign aid and foreign
direct investment, has provided funds for the government
to rebuild angolan society. programs have been launched
to resettle displaced angolans, renovate old and build new
infrastructure, boost agricultural productivity, and erect an
institutional framework capable of bringing basic services to
the population, the large majority of which live in rural areas
and rely on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods.
the heady growth and influx of oil revenue and foreign
investment has proved difficult for angola’s leaders to
manage, particularly given that half the population is 15
years old or under, however. having fallen some us$9 billion
in arrears to foreign construction companies, angola in 2009
abandoned its currency peg and signed a us$1.4 billion
stand-By arrangement loan to rebuild its currency reserves.
Compounding this, angola’s economic growth – dependent
largely on oil exports – dropped sharply to 2.4% in 2009 with
the onset of the global recession. it has resumed since, however,
with the economy estimated to have expanded 3.4% in 2010,
3.9% in 2011, 5.2% in 2012, and an expected 8.2% in 2013.
though angola continues to face difficult challenges, significant progress is being made. angola’s economy is now
the third-largest on the continent, after south africa and
nigeria, and it ranks among the top 10 oil producers in the
world. in a recent assessment, the african Development
Bank noted that though it still ranks very low overall, angola
has made “significant strides in a variety of human development indicators, including poverty, health and education.”
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ANGOLA
imF representative praises
macroeconomic progress but urges
structural reform
great strides in this area over the last few years and should
receive credit for what it has accomplished. positive things are
happening here that the international business community
needs to pay attention to. But this obviously needs to be
qualified as there is still a long way to go in improving the
business environment.
European Times: How has the IMF supported
Angola’s development?
Nicolas Staines: angola has been a member of the imF
since 1989 and engagement has been mostly based on a
surveillance relationship, as is the case with most imF’s
members that do not have a formal program. angola was
badly affected by the collapse of oil prices during the recent
global crisis and requested support from the imF in late 2009
under a standby arrangement that focussed on restoring
macroeconomic stability and improving transparency and
the flow of information to the public – and the program
objectives were largely achieved. the imF’s engagement
since the program ended in march 2012 has been less intense
but we continue to follow developments closely as part of our
‘post-program monitoring’. We also provide policy advice,
technical assistance and capacity building. angola is an
important economy in sub-saharan africa and to the imF’s
work on monitoring developments in the region, so we will
continue to pay close attention.
Nicholas
Staines,
the
IMFʼs
Resident
Representative in Angola, discusses the IMFʼs
priorities for the country.
European Times: What would you like the international community to know about Angola?
Nicholas Staines: in my view, the international community’s perception of angola’s macroeconomic management
needs to be revised. the angolan government has made
8
European Times: How does Angola’s oil industry
affect the economy?
Nicholas Staines: angola has only recently emerged from
a long conflict that severely depleted its economic and social
fabric. in this context, angola’s large oil earnings provide
valuable resources for reconstruction and development.
But the needs are also high and known oil reserves limited,
probably lasting only two to three decades. the oil earnings
also bring large challenges typical to resource-dependent
economies, such as high prices, an appreciating real exchange
rate, an uncompetitive non-oil sector, and income inequality.
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introduction
sector
an important legacy of the conflict is the weakened capacity
of the state and the outsized role of the national oil company,
sonangol. With both the financial resources and capacity,
sonangol found itself involved in many areas that are
properly the role of the state, complicating the implementation of macroeconomic policy. an important challenge is
therefore to delineate relations between the oil sector and
the budget more clearly and, more broadly, to strengthen the
state’s capacity to deliver on its policy objectives. the 2013
budget is an important milestone as all state spending is now
included within the budget envelope.
angola’s heavy dependence on oil makes it vulnerable to oil
price fluctuations. the tendency is for budget spending to
follow oil revenues in a boom-bust cycle, as was the case over
the recent global crisis. this is detrimental to macroeconomic
stability and longer-term economic development. a major
policy challenge is therefore to smooth budget spending in
the face of volatile oil revenues by saving resources when
oil prices are high and then drawing down on these savings
when prices are low. the government’s work towards a
medium-term macroeconomic framework is an important
step in this direction.
European Times: What are some other challenges
Angola faces?
Nicholas Staines: angola’s key developmental challenge
is to diversify the economy to grow the non-oil sector. maintaining macroeconomic stability is the foundation stone. But
angola also has to address the devastation of conflict and the
challenges posed by its dependence on oil that together make
it very difficult for local business to compete with imports.
the priority is to build public infrastructure, especially for roads,
water and electricity and this will go a long way to improve the
external competitiveness of the non-oil sector. in the longerterm, improving education and human capital are essential to
reduce angola’s reliance on imported skilled labour. angola also
has a long way to go in improving the business environment
in other areas, such as government regulation and bureaucracy,
judicial systems, and access to financing.
easier to withstand another oil price shock: foreign reserves
are much higher than before, the exchange rate is stable,
inflation is in single digits, and non-oil fiscal deficits are
more manageable. there has also been a significant, though
uneven, move towards greater transparency and the flow of
information to the public, as can be seen, for example, on the
Central Bank’s website.
these are important achievements, but angola’s still has
a low rank on the World Bank’s ease of Doing Business
index. the government’s capital infrastructure program
will take time to complete as will the graduation of a generation with adequate schooling. in some ways, the structural changes needed at the microeconomic level are more
difficult than those at the macroeconomic level and will
require a sustained effort.
“Angola offers big possibilities for
foreign direct investors that have the
stamina to deal with a challenging but
rewarding business environment.”
European Times: How about opportunities for
foreign investors?
Nicholas Staines: angola offers big possibilities for foreign
direct investors that have the stamina to deal with a challenging but rewarding business environment. the government has
a large capital spending program over the medium term, and
there are also opportunities that do not rely directly on the
budget as the economic landscape is evolving rapidly. rates
of return on investments have historically been high, but so
are the hurdles, and companies coming to angola need to
have a long-term focus and recognise that business in angola
relies on building relationships. there are good examples of
local and foreign partners doing business together.
European Times: What do you predict for Angola’s
future?
European Times: What progress has been made in
coping with the challenges?
Nicholas Staines: angola has greatly strengthened its
macroeconomic management and has largely established
macroeconomic stability. this now needs to be maintained.
the country has built up the policy space that will make it
Nicholas Staines: angola’s prospects are positive. the
country is much better placed than before to face another
oil price crisis but now needs to make a concerted effort to
address the structural hurdles to more diversified growth. the
country’s oil earnings provide valuable resources to support
this effort, but are also limited and need to be used carefully.
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sector
Dutch ambassador outlines
exceptional investment
opportunities
Susanna Terstal: angola is not an easy country to do
business in, but the potential is massive. poverty remains a
problem in spite of oil revenues. the new government recognises the country’s issues and is focused on diversifying the
economy and on promoting FDi. For european investors
facing a challenging climate in europe, angola represents a
great new opportunity for tremendous returns on investment.
this is not a country for easy money, but it is one which can
result in great profits for those willing to invest in angola and
its people long-term.
European Times: What is the Dutch embassy doing
to support foreign investors?
Dutch Ambassador to Angola, Susanna Terstal
discusses the tremendous opportunities Angola
offers European businesses and investors
willing to persevere and help meet the countryʼs
development needs.
European Times: What is the relationship between
Angola and the Netherlands?
Susanna Terstal: the netherlands was one of the first
countries to recognise angola’s independence and the two
countries have had a positive relationship ever since. initially the
netherlands supported angola’s independence and recovery
from the war, but now angola is mainly an economic partner.
my role as ambassador here focuses on promoting Dutch
investment in angola.
European Times: What are the main opportunities
for foreign investors in Angola?
10
Susanna Terstal: We have a programme to help
Dutch companies find local partners and the privatesector investment programme (psi), which is open to
non-Dutch companies, through which projects can
receive up to 50% of their start-up funding from the
Dutch government. We have several psi projects up and
running. on a day-to-day basis, we answer trade requests
from companies and help them in their first steps in
angola.
European Times: Can you single out some highpotential investment opportunities in Angola?
Susanna Terstal: the agriculture sector is a major
opportunity, although there are still land mines in the
countryside. angola also offers hydropower potential,
and the infrastructure and transport sectors definitely
need foreign investment and have outstanding growth
prospects. having a local partner is recommended for any
investment here.
European Times: What is your personal message
about Angola?
Susanna Terstal: i am an optimist. i believe that the
current government is serious about diversifying the economy
and developing the country. my advice to investors is not to
wait, to come here and go for it!
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master reGio
the european times
introduction
Both angola and eu Benefit
from Closer relations
Located
in
the
simbrao de Carvalho. the eu and
angola both stand to benefit greatly
from forging closer relations, an
opportunity recognised by both
sides. With president dos santos and
the ruling mpLa party intent on
taking further steps to liberalise and
strengthen both angola’s economy
and its fledgling multi-party parliamentary democracy, the eu can play
an important and valuable role in
angola’s development.
European
Unionʼs capital city, the Angolan
Embassy to the EU in Brussels,
Belgium plays an important role
in Angolaʼs growing presence
among
the
international
community of nations.
H.E. Maria Simbrao de Carvalho,
Angolaʼs Ambassador to the EU
recovering and rebuilding in the
aftermath of more than four decades
of military conflict, angola’s economy
has consistently been registering
some of the highest growth rates in
the world over the past decade. a
growing list of european companies
and investors have been joining their
counterparts from China, other parts
of asia, the u.s., the middle east
and other parts of africa in flocking
to the angolan capital of Luanda to
establish their presence and capitalise
on business development opportunities in the southwest african nation.
Booming offshore oil production has
been the main engine of economic
growth, and government revenue,
in angola. mineral resource development – in particular diamond
mining – has historically been a significant part of angola’s exports and
economic activity, and that continues
1
today. most every other aspect
of angola’s economy and society,
continue to suffer the devastating
after-effects of the angolan War of
independence and angolan Civil
War, however.
though
attracting
investment
capital and development aid from
the eu holds an important place on
the angolan embassy to the eu’s
agenda, it does not figure as prominently as it does for most diplomatic
missions from african nations. Flush
with cash from rising oil exports, and
with its population and agriculture,
water, energy, health, sanitation and
educational infrastructure devastated
by war, it is the transfer of knowledge
and technology that angola requires
most.
this point isn’t lost on angola’s
ambassador to the eu, h.e. maria
this is the case when it comes to
sustainable development, renewable
energy and clean technology, for
example, areas in which the eu
has been providing global leadership. angola still has a rich diversity
of increasingly rare wildlife and
healthy ecosystems, and these will
increasingly come under pressure
as fossil fuel; mineral and natural
resource development continues.
angolans and europeans both stand
to gain by conserving and protecting
them while also working to assure
economic opportunities and healthy
lives and sustainable livelihoods for
all angolans.
ambassador simbrao de Carvalho
joined with her eu and other
african counterparts in 2007 to lead
the launch of the africa-eu energy
partnership (aeep). moreover, both
angola and the eu are members
of the un’s sustainable energy For
all initiative, which links the clean,
renewable energy development and
realisation of the un’s millennium
Development Goals.
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Government
12
© Maarten Pennings
Development and Democracy:
angola’s Government
type of government
Government organisation
Formerly a one-party socialist state, the republic of angola
has been gradually making a transition to a multi-party
democracy over the past two decades.
Executive Branch:
the executive branch is led by the president, who is both chief
of state and head of the government. in addition to executive
power, the president has the power to legislate by decree.
a shift from a popular to a parliamentary representative democracy took place in 2010 with the adoption of a
new constitution. today, angola is classified as a one-party
dominant state.
angola’s most recent general election was held in august,
2012. the governing mpLa won a large majority (71.8%)
of the popular vote. mpLa leader and incumbent president
José eduardo dos santos was chosen to serve the first of a
possible two consecutive terms in office under a new constitution that was adopted in 2010. manuel Domingos Vicente
became Vice-president.
one of the longest serving government leaders in africa, dos
santos has led the mpLa and served as angola’s president
since 1979.
prior to 2010, a prime minister had served as head of government. the office of prime minister was abolished with
the adoption of a new constitution, with its powers and
responsibilities assumed by the president. the office of vicepresident was created in its stead.
the leader of the political party that wins a majority of votes
in national elections becomes president as opposed to being
elected by popular vote, which had been the case prior to the
adoption of the new constitution in 2010. also under the
terms of the new constitution, the president is limited to two
consecutive five-year terms of office.
Legislative Branch:
the legislative branch of the angolan government is the
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sector
national assembly, which consists of 220 representatives.
130 are elected by popular vote according to proportional
representation and 90 are elected by provincial districts, of
which there are 18.
By law, national assembly representatives are elected for
four-year terms. in practice, this has not been the case.
Following an initial election in 1992, a second election
wasn’t held until 2008. the most recent took place in
august, 2012.
Judicial Branch:
Based on portuguese law, angola’s legal system is made up of
the attorney General’s office, the Constitutional Court, and
the high Council of the Judicial power.
the attorney General’s office represents the state in
defending the interests and taking punitive actions assigned
to it by law.
political activism took root in his teens while a student at
the Lyceum in Luanda during the early phases of the liberation movement. having established the mpLa’s youth
wing, dos santos joined a stream of refugees fleeing portuguese repression and helped set up resistance operations in
the Congo.
awarded a scholarship to study in the ussr in 1963, dos
santos earned a degree in petroleum engineering at university in Baku, azerbaijan and received military training in
communications.
upon his return to angola, dos santos was appointed to a
series of positions of increasing responsibility and prominence. upon winning independence from portugal, dos
santos was appointed minister of Foreign affairs in 1975
and minister of planning in 1978.
the Constitutional Court is responsible for the administration of justice on legal and constitutional matters, including
the constitutionality of international treaties and rules. it also
reviews and considers appeals of all decisions made by other
courts.
Dos santos was named president of the popular republic
of angola in 1979 following the death of angola’s first
president, mpLa co-founder antonio agostinho neto. he
led the mpLa and the angolan government through most
of the angolan Civil War and began taking the first steps to
open up and liberalise angola’s political system and economy
in the 1990s.
the high Council of the Judiciary is responsible for
proposing the appointment of judges to the supreme Court;
appointing, placing, transferring and promoting judges,
and considering the qualifications and capacity of judges,
including taking disciplinary action when necessary.
Winning the first multi-party election in 1992, dos santos
was elected president by popular vote a second time in
2008. he was re-elected to the first of a possible two terms
in 2012 under election rules established with the adoption
of a new constitution in 2010.
the high Council of the Judiciary is composed of three
lawyers nominated by the president of the republic, five
lawyers nominated by the national assembly, and 10 judges
elected by judiciary members. it is presided over by the
president of the supreme Court.
Vice-President Manuel Domingos Vicente
alongside president J.e. dos santos, Vice-president manuel
Domingos Vicente rose through the ranks of the mpLa and
angola’s government during the angolan War of independence and the angolan Civil War.
Key Leaders
President José Eduardo dos Santos
Born on august 28, 1942 in Luanda, president José
eduardo dos santos has risen from humble origins to
dominate angolan politics and government. Dos santos’
14
Born in Luanda, Vicente earned a degree in electronic engineering from the university of angola. having served as
chief engineer and then head of the technical department at
the ministry of oil from 1987-1991, Vicente was appointed
deputy director-general of sonangol, the state-owned oil
company.
the european times
Government
Vicente was appointed sonangol’s chief executive in 1999,
overseeing a rapid expansion of angola’s oil production.
oil exploration and production is the largest sector of
the angolan economy by far, accounting for some 80%
of government revenues and 45% of GDp. Developing
under his direction, sonangol’s reputation has grown.
today it is considered by industry insiders to be one of
the most professional national oil companies in africa.
president dos santos appointed Vicente minister of state for
economic Coordination in september, 2011, with Francisco
de Lemos Jose maria taking his place as chief executive of
sonangol. Designated second candidate by the mpLa in the
run-up to the June, 2012 general election, Vicente became vicepresident in september, 2012 following the mpLa election
victory.
ministers
minister of hotels and tourism
pedro mutinde
minister of Construction
Waldemar pires alexandre
minister of urbanism and housing
José antónio da Conceição silva
minister of energy and Water
João Baptista Borges
minister of transport
augusto da silva tomás
minister of environment
maria de Fátima monteiro Jardim
minister of telecommunications and information technologies
José de Carvalho da rocha
minister of territorial administration
Bornito Baltazar Diogo de sousa
minister of science and technology
maria Cândida teixeira pereira
minister of public administration, employment and
social security
antónio Domingos pitra neto da Costa
minister of social Communications
José Luís de matos
minister of Justice and human rights
rui Jorge Carneiro mangueira
minister of Former Combatants and motherland Veterans
Kundi paihama
minister of agriculture
pedro afonso Canga
minister of health
José Vieira Dias Van-Dúnem
minister of education
mpinda simão
minister of higher education
adão do nascimento
minister of Culture
rosa maria martins da Cruz e silva
minister of Fisheries
Victória Christopher Francisco Lopes de Barros neto
minister of Welfare and social reintegration
João Baptista Kussumua
minister of industry
Bernarda Gonçalves henriques da silva martins
minister of Family and Women promotion
maria Filomena Lobão telo Delgado
minister of oil
José maria Botelho de Vasconcelos
minister of Youth and sports
manuel Gonçalves muandumba
minister of Geology and mines
Francisco Queiroz
minister of parliamentary affairs
rosa Luís de sousa micolo
minister for trade
rosa pedro pacavira de matos
(source: www.angola.org)
153
the european times
ANGOLA
• Investing in Angola: It’s Not Just Oil Anymore
Business & investment
opportunities
“Angola has a number of investment
incentives in place and we will
announce new ones soon.”
Bernarda Henriques da Silva,
Minister of Industry
16
the european times
Business & investment opportunities
minister of industry Cites Vast
potential in Diverse sectors
plastics. there are still many opportunities, for example in
food production, since angola imports all its essential food
yet the country has vast amounts of fertile land. one of the
government’s top priorities is to encourage agriculture and
food processing, including the production of crops, meat,
poultry, dairy products and fish as well as animal feeds, fertilisers, machinery and related products.
We also want to foster sustainable wood production,
including furniture manufacturing. our mining sector has
great potential, but rather than just mining and exporting
raw materials, like iron, we are encouraging value-added
activities like steel production. We are also targeting the
pharmaceuticals sector and the textiles industry, which is
soon to be privatised. We see great potential for european
companies to invest in all these areas. to support these
activities, the government is setting up logistics centres all
over the country.
Bernarda
Industry,
Henriques
discusses
international investors.
da
Silva,
priority
Minister
sectors
of
for
European Times: What are some of your ministry’s
current projects?
Bernarda Henriques da Silva: We are establishing
industrial parks throughout the country, developing clusters
in different sectors, creating new investment incentives,
and improving our human resources. We want to empower
angola’s private sector.
European Times: Why should European investors
target Angola?
Bernarda Henriques da Silva: angola has a number of
investment incentives in place and we will announce new ones
soon. angola has already seen some very successful investments in many sectors, including in beverage production and
European Times: What are the main challenges for
industrial development?
Bernarda Henriques da Silva: We need more energy
capacity but we are in the process of changing this rapidly.
We are also focussing on improving the business climate
and developing the right infrastructure to support economic
growth, not only transport and communications infrastructure but also our water and electricity systems and support
services. We are ready to help foreign investors get their
projects up and running. investing in angola today does not
mean that you have to start from zero. the current government has made great progress in getting angola back on
track for growth. We have rail connections to neighbouring
countries again, for example, and we have achieved over half
of the 2015 un millennium Goals.
European Times: What is your personal message to
potential investors?
Bernarda Henriques da Silva: angola is now safe and
secure. We welcome you to come here and see all the opportunities our country offers.
17
the european times
master
ANGOLA
reGio
investing in angola:
it’s not Just oil anymore
© Maarten Pennings
Encompassing an expansive 1.25-million square kilometres
of tropical land along the south-western edge of the African
continent, as well as Atlantic Ocean waters extending 200 nautical
miles off a 1,600 kilometre coastline, Angola is a country with an
ecologically rich diversity of life and natural resources.
angola’s economy has been one of the
fastest growing in the world over the past
decade, fuelled by a rapid expansion in
oil production.
increasing oil production has been the
predominant engine of socioeconomic
development in angola to date, and
the overwhelming focus of president
José eduardo dos santos and the
ruling mpLa (people’s movement for
118
santos and the ruling mpLa have
stated their intention to liberalise
and diversify the economy in a bid to
accelerate the shift to a market-based
economy and pluralist representative
democracy. part-and-parcel of such
efforts, angola’s leadership has taken
steps to rebuild infrastructure, privatise
state-owned enterprises and improve
their accountability, transparency and
integrity, including that of sonangol,
the national oil company.
angola’s government is trying to
promote and foster sustainable development of agriculture, fisheries,
forestry, mineral resources, telecommunications, tourism and hospitality,
as well as development of hydroelectric
power and renewable energy resources,
as a means of boosting development,
eradicating poverty, and improving the
lives for a much greater percentage of
angolans.
rebuilding infrastructure – for water,
electricity, transportation, sanitation,
health and education – has been one
sponsored by:
the Liberation of angola) party. With
net oil export revenue estimated to
have totalled us$68 billion in 2012,
revenues from oil production account
for some 45% of national GDp and
80% to over 90% of government
revenue.
acknowledging the limitations and
downsides to development based almost
entirely on oil exports, president dos
afrimer trading
rua ilha da madeira nº 27, hoji Ya henda,
Cazenga Luanda
tel: +244 923 72 54 18 / +244 948 29 25 13
[email protected]
the european times
sector opportunities
Business & investment
sector
ensuring World-Class standards
in Local Business sector
HSE-AP makes sure Angolaʼs business sector
operates according to world-class standards.
Alan Gignoux-Dreamstime.com
focal point of the government’s development efforts. some
us$4 billion of non-oil foreign investment is forecast to
flow into angola by 2017. ports are being built in Bengo,
Cabinda and Zaire provinces, and a new airport and cargo
terminal are under construction in Viana, 12 kilometres
southeast of Luanda. the Benguela railway that will
connect Luanda and angola’s atlantic coast to Zambia is
nearly completed.
prior to independence, angola was not only self-sufficient
in food, it exported a variety of agricultural commodities,
including bananas, coffee and sisal. since the 1980s, it has
been unable to meet its own food needs, relying on imports
to make up the shortfall.
that being the case, the angolan government has established agro-industrial, as well as industrial, development
zones around the country, including in Luanda, Benguela,
huila, Cabinda and huambo.
With the support of the government, foreign companies and
investors can establish partnerships with managerial-class
owners of property and resources in these areas. Cia. de Bioenergia de angola, for example, recently announced it would
invest us$452 million to develop a sugar plantation.
Building up the capacity of angola’s human resources is
perhaps the greatest challenge facing angola’s leaders and
population. the government is considering reducing the
minimum investment for foreigners from us$1 million and
revising tax incentives for industries based on their capital
expenditures and their plans to invest in training and
education.
HSE-AP team
Created in 2007, the company helps angola comply with
iso criteria concerning quality-management systems, occupational health and hygiene, security in the workplace and
environmental protection in line with iso 14001.
Former General manager Francisco Cobe explains that
since last year hse-ap has also been monitoring fire-control
systems in buildings. he says, “We work in all these areas
with our various clients, and we work with the ministries of
petroleum, industry, environment, interior, and tourism.”
hse-ap has projects all over the country.
environmental compliance a priority
to ensure that companies receive the required environmental
license from the ministry of the environment, hse-ap goes into
the field to identify any possible problems that might occur during
a company’s operations and helps find ways to reduce any risks.
Francisco Cobe says, “We differentiate ourselves from the
competition by working with full transparency. We are also
present at Luanda’s trade fairs, and we have very good
contacts with ministries and large companies. We have signed
an anti-corruption agreement with the us government.”
hse-ap is actively looking for a joint-venture partner who
can invest around €760,000. For investors looking to enter
the angola market, hse-ap is an excellent choice.
HSE-AP
Rua Jose de Oliveira Barbosa Nº85, Maianga,
Bairro da Alvalade, Luanda
Tel: +244 22 00 0427
[email protected], www.hseap.co.ao
19
the european times
ANGOLA
• Angola Making Education a Priority
education
“I welcome cooperation with European
partners who can help us improve our
capacities in education, teaching and
research.”
Adão do Nascimento,
Minister of Higher Education
20
the european times
education
higher education a
top priority
European Times: How are you financing these
projects?
Adão do Nascimento: our budget has almost doubled
this year compared to last year. We are working to attract
top-level teachers from abroad while training our local
teachers and administrators. in addition, we are investing
in physical infrastructure, including buildings, equipment,
laboratories and books. and, we will continue to offer scholarships to make higher education, public and private, more
accessible for more students.
European Times: What is your ministry doing to
help improve Angola’s human resources?
Adão
do
Nascimento,
Minister
of
Higher
Education, explains that the government has
prioritised educational development.
Adão do Nascimento: We have only been developing
our higher-education system since 2002 when the country
achieved political stability. While we are making progress, we
cannot yet supply multinationals with all the skilled workers
and research support they need. For example, oil enterprises
employ innovative scientific and technological practices and
there is an obvious gap between their requirements and what
our institutions can provide. our main goal is to analyse this
gap, work hard to meet investors’ requirements, and deliver
what the oil and other industries need. We are open to international cooperation as we pursue this goal.
European Times: What about vocational training?
European Times: What are the Ministry of Higher
Education’s current priorities?
Adão do Nascimento: We are focussing on higher
education. angola now has 53 higher-education institutions,
both public and private, plus 15 authorised institutions that
have not yet opened. We have more than 150,000 students.
We have awarded 12,600 scholarships this year and plan to
award 6,000 more, and we have awarded 3,600 scholarships
for study outside the country and plan to offer 400 more. We
are focussing on quality as well as growth. our strategy is to
promote quality standards to bring all institutions up to the
next level. We also want to acquire books and equipment
that match the highest quality available in other countries in
the region.
Adão do Nascimento: the ministry is working with
secondary schools in orientation programmes, and we have
created a department within the ministry to focus on vocational and professional training.
European Times: Are you partnering with European
educational institutions and investors?
Adão do Nascimento: our cooperation with the eu as
a whole is not extensive but we have relations with several
individual european countries. i welcome cooperation with
european partners who can help us improve our capacities
in education, teaching and research. We angolans are very
keen to learn.
21
the european times
ANGOLA
education
angola making education
a priority
There are many casualties wherever there is
© The Embassy of the Republic of
Angola and GlobeScope Inc.
war, or any type of protracted armed conflict.
Perhaps the most damaging in terms of limiting
the potential of a nation are those inflicted on
the younger generation and education.
angolans have suffered through 40 years of war, first the war
for independence from portugal, then a civil war that lasted
some 27 years. Both took a heavy toll on angolan children
and the young, including depriving them of any chance at
even a basic level of formal education.
the signing of the peace accord between the ruling mpLa,
unita and FnLa in 2002 and the beginning of a rapid
expansion in oil production, with associated revenues
flowing into the state treasury, marked a turning point and
the renewal of government efforts to develop a nationwide
system and standards of education.
the angolan government, with support from international
institutions, foreign investment, and local and international
nGos, began rebuilding angola’s educational infrastructure. Looted and destroyed during the wars, thousands of
schools are being rebuilt across the nation. Curricula are
being revised and developed, and thousands of teachers are
being trained according to international standards.
Universidade Agostinho Neto, near Luanda
the number of angolans seeking higher education is on the
rise as well. there were 45,000 new students in institutions
of higher education in 2012, bringing the total to around
195,000. students who intend to apply to university are
required to undergo an additional two-three year ‘pre-university’ course.
Literacy and numeracy on the rise in
angola
With many adult and young angolans damaged by the wars
and held back by illiteracy and/or innumeracy, the ministry
for social reinsertion and Banco de Desenvolvimento de
angola offer vocational and practical training. so far, around
5,000 students have gained valuable skills and employment
as a result.
in angola today primary education begins at age six and
lasts eight years. the first four years are free and compulsory.
secondary education lasts three years for general education
and four years for vocational and technical education students.
With oil production the engine of economic growth and
supplier of government revenue, us$0.15 from the sale of
every barrel of oil produced goes toward the development
of human capital.
according to government figures, 85% of urban children
and nearly 70% of those living in rural areas are enrolled in
primary school. nearly 243,000 teachers have been trained
over the past four years and are now at work teaching.
the angolan government has also instituted an ‘angolanisation’ program whereby companies in the oil and gas sector
are required to employ and train angolans to fill positions
currently occupied by expatriate workers.
122
the european times
• Ministry Ready to Partner with Mining Investors
• Angola Aims to More than Triple Power Generation Capacity
energy & mining
“Angola is changing positively and
the Ministry of Geology and Mines
is doing everything in its power
to promote transparency.”
Dr. Francisco Manuel Queiroz,
Minister of Geology and Mines
23
the european times
ANGOLA
ministry ready to partner
with mining investors
Dr. Francisco Manuel Queiroz, Minister of
Geology and Mines, discusses Angolaʼs priorities
for developing its high-potential mining sector.
European Times: What are your ministry’s main goals?
Francisco Queiroz: the ministry of Geology and mines,
which was established as a separate ministry in the year
before last, has implemented a development programme
for 2013 to 2017 which focusses on diversification of the
mining sector away from the current focus on diamonds,
as well as environmental protection, community-building,
24
adding value to our mineral resources and increasing
revenues. our strategy is set out in the national plan of
Geology, and we have also established a new mining code.
We are currently mapping the entire country to locate
mineral deposits that have mining potential, and we have
launched a campaign to attract private investment to the
mining sector, in exploration as well as exploitation. We
anticipate that the exploration phase will last three to five
years. after that we will have all the necessary knowledge
about our mining reserves and can begin to promote more
private investment in exploitation.
European Times: What are the opportunities for
private investors in the mining industry?
the european times
sector
energy
& mining
Francisco Queiroz: Concerning exploration activities,
we offer five-year licenses which can be renewed twice.
investors can then be granted a 35-year license to exploit
mining resources. We also license mining exports but we
are promoting adding value rather than just exporting raw
materials. We are committed to ensuring transparency
in the mining-investment process, which is why we have
developed our mining code. We want to make sure that
companies operating in the mining sector are very transparent themselves and that our investors feel protected doing
business here. the mining code clearly presents all our
current laws and regulations on investment in the mining
sector, including mining licenses.
European Times: What incentives does Angola
offer investors in mining operations?
Francisco Queiroz: to make angola more competitive
as a choice for mining investment in africa, our mining
code allows investors free repatriation of profits as well as
reduced taxes on profits (25% instead of the usual 35%).
We have also increased royalties from 2% to around 5%.
We have established an environmental fund and 5% of the
revenues we receive from the 25% in taxes on mining will
be applied to this fund.
European Times: What are some new developments in diamond-mining?
Francisco Queiroz: our mining industry is currently
centred on diamonds, and while we want to encourage
other types of mining we also want to continue to
improve and boost the revenues from our diamondmining activities. state-owned endiama will always be
the concessionaire in the diamond industry in angola,
but we know that we need to encourage joint ventures
to stimulate growth and increase capacity. endiama,
through its new company endiama mining, will offer
partnership opportunities for private investors. endiama
will serve as the regulator of diamond rights. We aim
to increase the diamond sector’s GDp contribution from
the current 5% and we believe that the diamond sector
can achieve 5% annual growth.
European Times: What about other mineral
resources?
Francisco Queiroz: angola has much more than
diamonds to offer. a major mining project in the pipeline
is the Casinga, the iron mine, which is expected to start
with this year’s initiative. in addition, a project of significant exploration of manganese and iron will begin in the
northern Kwanza norte province, in 2015. another project
is in mavoio, focussing on copper and is ready to start
producing in 2015 or 2016. We also have two phosphate
projects on the way, one of them in the province of Zaire
from this year, along with a site design and another energy
project in the province of Cabinda, which has already
started end of 2013. many of these projects, along with
others, are still open for investors to step in. mining operations require huge resources to get off the ground and while
the government will support, we also want to attract private
investment.
European Times: What are the main challenges
the mining sector faces?
Francisco Queiroz: providing adequate energy and infrastructure for mining operations are the main challenges in
angola as elsewhere in the world. We are also focussing on
protecting the environment. poor mining practices in the
past resulted in polluted water and soil, and we are determined to prevent this in the future. angola is therefore very
open to working together with all institutions, organisations
or private companies which have shown that sustainability is at the top of their agendas. We welcome investors
who can not only provide funding but also know-how and
capacity-building.
European Times: What is your personal message
to potential investors?
Francisco Queiroz: angola is changing positively and
the ministry of Geology and mines is doing everything in
its power to promote transparency. the fastest way for an
investor in mining to start doing business here in angola is
via this ministry. We are ready to partner with you.
25
THE EUROPEAN TIMES
ANGOLA
Angola Aims to More than
Triple Power Generation Capacity
Angola
has
made
significant
strides
in
building out infrastructure since the signing
of a peace accord in 2002 ended a civil war
that lasted over 25 years. However, much
remains to be done, particularly when it
comes to delivering power, water and other
basic services to the mass of the population,
as Angolaʼs Minister of Energy João Baptista
Borges explains in this interview.
European Times: Can you give us an overview of
the Angolan power sector today, and what’s in store
with regard to energy projects in the next five to ten
years?
João Baptista Borges: Since 2002, the year the peace
agreement was signed, we have not only regained all that
previously installed power capacity, we have increased it
from 500 to 1,500 megawatts (MW). Unfortunately, due to
an ongoing imbalance between supply and demand, this
substantial increase has not really been felt by consumers.
There is still a lot to be achieved if we are to increase the
actual rate of access to electricity, which now stands at
about 35%.
Our aim is to increase generation capacity to 5,000 MW by
2017, ensure the immediate rehabilitation of infrastructure,
and start to strengthen the process of reducing tariffs to the
customer. At the same time, we are launching the National
Rural Electrification Programme.
European Times: How can Europe assist Angola in
achieving the goals the government has set for the
power sector?
João Baptista Borges: The government is preparing legislation which promotes the entry of private capital in the
areas of power generation and distribution. Public-private
partnerships for the establishment of companies dedicated to
26
João Baptista Borges, Minister of Energy
the provision and manufacturing of equipment are encouraged as well.
Investors are equally welcome to build and operate
infrastructure. The government will set a remuneration mechanism which is attractive to all private entities
desiring to invest in power generation through PPAs
(power purchase agreements) for large interconnected
units and feed-in tariffs (FiTs) for smaller isolated
projects.
There are already some concrete examples of private
sector investment in Angolan power generation, such as
the Mabubas power station in Bengo and Hidro Chicapa
in the mining areas. And there are projects now open to
development: a 100-MW wind power generation project
at Tombwa, a 500-MW combined-cycle thermal power
station in Soyo, and 78-MW and 227-MW hydro power
stations on the Keve River.
the european times
• Tourists and Wildlife Return to Angola
tourism
27
the european times
ANGOLA
© francofa-Dreamstime.com
Rest point on Epupa falls
tourists and Wildlife
return to angola
Rich in geography and biodiversity and with a long tropical Atlantic Ocean coastline,
Angola has a lot to offer adventurous tourists. As it was described in a Washington
Post International Spotlight feature, “Angola is a giant jigsaw puzzle of different
climates, landscapes, cultures and colours. From mountains to vast open plains,
wide, white beaches to thick tropical rainforest, Angola has it all, as if each of its
eighteen provinces were a different country.”
28
the european times
tourism
sector
the number of visitors to angola has quadrupled since
the signing of the peace accord in 2002 to 2012 to reach
some 365,000. Luanda, the capital city, offers tourists a
taste of angola’s portuguese colonial-era past, an appreciation of its close ties with Brazil to the west across the
atlantic, and a head-first dive into life in a fast rising,
developing world city.
an oil and property development boom tends to drive
prices up fast, as well as strains the capacity of infrastructure and the delivery of basic and essential services.
expanding at a breakneck pace over the past decade and
counting, Luanda has been experiencing all of the above.
Boutique hotel in
the heart of ilha
Curled around Luandaʼs harbour is a long strip of
land known to the locals as Ilha. Once comprised
of sleepy fishermanʼs settlements, Ilha is now
known as one of Luandaʼs hottest spots for surf,
sand and entertainment.
rivalling London, new York, oslo, Geneva and Zurich,
Luanda has been rated as the world’s most expensive
city in recent years. Yet, some 2/3 of the city’s 5 million
residents reportedly live in shanty-town squalor, lacking
reliable supplies of clean water, sanitation or electricity. the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the city strike
and envelop you. the contrasts – old and new, rich and
poor, haves and have-nots – can be shocking, exciting
and mind boggling.
an entirely different world awaits travellers venturing
outside the hustle and bustle of angola’s capital city.
From north-western Zaire province to Cuando-Cubango
in the southwest, angola offers visitors the opportunity
to experience a rich mix of geographical, cultural and
biological diversity.
Lovers of nature and wildlife may find angola a particularly rewarding experience. though they suffered badly
along with many angolans during the angolan War of
independence and ensuing angolan Civil War, angola
can still boast of some of the world’s largest, most
remote and untouched nature reserves, wildlife parks,
ecosystems and biodiversity.
Good places to start are the country’s national parks
and wildlife reserves, around which a network of hotels,
resorts and safari camps has been growing. since 2002,
international environmental organisations, multilateral
development agencies and angola’s government have
joined in rehabilitating and revitalising them.
hotel ilha mar, occupying a central location on ilha, is
gaining a reputation as one of Luanda’s best-kept secrets.
Just minutes from the city centre, it offers peace and tranquillity by day, and myriad dining and nightlife options after the
sun goes down.
in operation for just two years, hotel ilha mar is a small
hotel with modern flair, from the lobby’s tasteful monochromatic décor, to the vibrant fiery shades found in the rooftop
bar. With decks on both the sea and city sides, hotel guests
can enjoy sunsets over the ocean and an unmatched view of
the twinkling city skyline at night.
But what truly makes hotel ilha mar shine is its incredible
food. as one guest remarked, “You can tell that the chef made
this with passion.” From traditional portuguese cuisine reminiscent of angola’s colonial past, to daring combinations of
flavours, long-staying guests will take pleasure working their
way through the menu.
Hotel Ilha Mar
Av. Murtala Mohamed
Ilha do Cabo, Luanda
Tel: +244 222 309 603
www.hotelilhamar.com
291
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master
ANGOLA
reGio
heritage hotel specialises in
personal service
The iconic Hotel Continental
opened in 1955 and has been
providing high-quality services
to its guests ever since. Luandaʼs
only hotel with food safety and
ISO 9001/2008 certification by
DNV, the landmark three-star
property has earned a strong
reputation
comfortable,
for
its
clean,
well-maintained
facilities and for its commitment
to satisfying its customers.
Following major modernisation projects
since 2002, the hotel now has 83 guestrooms, including eight suites, each
equipped with air-conditioning, wireless
internet, direct-dial telephone, a safe
and a minibar. the hotel Continental’s modern amenities include two
very popular restaurants (Caravela and
Baia), two bars (‘equador’ Bar and ‘o
navio’ terrace), two meeting rooms, a
business lounge, a gift and tobacco shop,
24-hour room service, catering and
banquet services, and a fitness centre.
Guests appreciate the chance to relax on
the hotel Continental’s rooftop terrace
overlooking the city. Luis Gouveia,
General Director, explains, “We continue
to refurbish our guestrooms one by one
so that we can meet our clients’ needs in
today’s hospitality sector. We want all our
guests to feel comfortable, including our
many long-stay guests. our iso certification ensures that guests can trust us and
is the result of our hard work over many
years.”
Dedicated employees,
personalised service
the success of the hotel Continental
reflects the dedication of its employees.
Luis Gouveia points out, “the hotel
Continental is well known for its high
standard of personalised service, and
this is a result of our staff members, who
are very important to us. We try harder
every day to do the best we can for our
130
guests.” the hotel provides daily english
lessons to its staff and invests in training
programmes to keep service levels high.
the hotel Continental is stepping up its
marketing efforts to help make potential
visitors around the world more aware of
what the hotel can offer. Luis Gouveia
urges international travellers to take
another look at Luanda and angola. he
says, “the bad reputation angola has is
inaccurate. We are working hard to help
change that negative image and to make
more people aware that Luanda is now
a good place to visit and live in. i am
looking forward to even more improvements over the next five to 10 years as
angolans work to build a better country.”
Hotel Continental
Rua Rainha Ginga 18-21
Luanda
Tel: +244 222 33 4241/42/43/44
[email protected]
www.hotelcontinentalluanda.com
the european times
tourism
Boutique hotel offers Great
alternative to Business travellers
Tucked on a corner in the heart
of bustling Luanda, Golden Park
Hotel is a hidden gem, much like
the diamonds found throughout
the countryside of this West
African nation. A boutique hotel
with just 24 rooms, the Golden
Park Hotelʼs size allows it to
provide personalised service to
each and every guest.
Carlos Lourenco, General Manager
Despite its small size, it still offers the
amenities business travellers staying
in a larger hotel have come to expect.
operating in Luanda since 2005, the
hotel features two bars, one of which
is perched on the rooftop, offering
sweeping views of the hustle and
bustle of the capital city of one of the
world’s fastest growing economies. Fully
equipped business and fitness centres, a
restaurant serving up sumptuous meals,
and conference facilities for up to 60
people round out the hotel’s facilities.
While the hotel’s amenities and
small size create a tempting offer
for business travellers looking for a
more personalised environment, it’s
the location that truly has allowed
the Golden park hotel to thrive.
serving some of the top companies
operating in angola, the hotel is just
15 minutes from the airport. it enjoys
an unrivaled central location that
allows for easy access to the main
commercial centre of Luanda and
government ministries.
explaining the Golden park’s success
story ever since it opened eight
years ago, General manager Carlos
Lourenco points out, “We stand out in
the level of service we provide. other
than myself, all our staff members are
angolan and we put major emphasis
on training them according to international hospitality standards. as an
expat, i see it as my duty to share
my experience and help train the
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local community. Based on our guest
reviews, we can proudly say we offer a
competitive alternative to big four and
five-star hotels in Luanda.”
in the increasingly competitive hotel
market within Luanda, the Golden
park hotel will continue to build on
its solid reputation for consistency
and quality. as angola continues the
unprecedented economic success of
the last decade, Golden park stands
ready to cater to the business travellers
attracted by the vast rewards angola
offers. “We invite you to come see
angola for yourself,” Carlos Lourenco
says. “i can assure you that we’ll make
you feel right at home.”
Grup Hotel Golden Park
Rua Pinto de Azevedo nº 16
Luanda
Tel: +244 222 39 0246
[email protected]
www.hotelgoldenpark.co.ao
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