Country Profile - Angola

Communications:

Telephone: Until recently, all international calls had to be made through the operator, booking in advance. Direct calls to Luanda (although not to the rest of the country) are increasingly available. Country code: 244.

Mobile telephone: Unitel is the only mobile operator at present, with coverage restricted to areas around Luanda.

Internet: Local ISPs include EBONET (website: www.ebonet.net) and NETANGOLA (website: www.netangola.com). Internet roaming agreements exist. There are a few Internet cafes in Luanda.

Telegram: Services are fairly reliable, but are occasionally subject to delay.

Fax: Services are available at most major hotels.

Post: Airmail between Europe and Angola takes five to ten days. Surface mail between Europe and Angola takes at least two months. There is a fairly reliable internal service. Most correspondence is by telex.

Press: The daily newspaper is O Jornal de Angola (government controlled); Diário da República is the official government newsletter. There are some independent publications and journals. There are no English-language newspapers.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Money

Currency: Kwanza (Kzr) = 100 centimos. Notes are in denominations of Kzr100, 50, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Kzr1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 50, 20 and 10 centimos.

Note: The Kwanza was devalued by a factor of 1000 in January 2000 (1 new Kwanza = 1000 old Kwanzas). New banknotes have now been introduced.

Currency exchange: Money should be exchanged at official bureaux de change only, which can be found throughout the country, but particularly in Luanda (changing money on the black market is illegal). US Dollars are also widely accepted.

Credit & debit cards: Credit cards are generally not accepted. American Express, Diners Club and Visa enjoy limited acceptance. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Travellers cheques are not commonly used and Angolan banks charge very high commission fees.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Readjusted Kwanza against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Currency restrictions: All imported currency should be declared on arrival. The import of local currency is limited to Kzr15,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration on arrival. The export of local currency is prohibited. The export of foreign currency is limited to US$5000. Those travelling on return tickets purchased in Angola may export up to the equivalent of US$5000 per year.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0845-1600.

Duty Free: The following items may be imported into Angola without payment of duty: A reasonable amount of tobacco products, three bottles of alcoholic beverages (each of different contents) and a reasonable quantity of perfume in opened bottles.

Prohibited items: Firearms and ammunition.

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 4 Martyrs of the Colonial Repression Day. Feb 4 Start of Liberation War. Feb 24 Carnival Day. Mar 8 International Women’s Day. Apr 4 Peace and National Reconciliation Day. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 25 Africa Day. Jun 1 International Children’s Day. Sep 17 Nation’s Founder and National Hero’s Day. Nov 2 All Soul’s Day. Nov 11 Independence Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 4 Martyrs of the Colonial Repression Day. Feb 4 Start of Liberation War. Feb 8 Carnival Day. Mar 8 International Women’s Day. Mar 25 Good Friday. Mar 28 Easter Monday. Apr 4 Peace and National Reconciliation Day. May 1 Labour Day. May 25 Africa Day. Jun 1 International Children’s Day. Sep 17 Nation’s Founder and National Hero’s Day. Nov 2 All Soul’s Day. Nov 11 Independence Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day.

Note: Holidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday are observed the following Monday.

Health:

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas. Pregnant women and infants under 9 months should not be vaccinated and therefore should avoid exposure to infection. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Angola. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. For more information consult the Health appendix.

3: Typhoid fever is widespread; poliomyelitis is endemic.

4: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country, even in urban areas, and is reported to be resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Mefloquine (MEF) is the recommended prophylaxis, at a weekly dose of 250mg.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Hepatitis A and E are widespread, hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Many insect-borne diseases, such as onchocerciasis (river blindness) and trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), exist all year throughout the country, including urban areas. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Meningitis outbreaks occur. Dengue fever epidemics occur sporadically; natural foci of plague have been reported. Vaccination is advisable for long-staying visitors, who should also consider hepatitis B and diphtheria vaccines and check their BCG status. Take precautions against heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Full health insurance is essential and should include medical evacuation insurance. There are some hospital facilities in the main towns but at the moment adequate medical facilities are virtually non-existent, however there are some good private clinices in Luanda. Medical treatment is free although often inadequate, and visitors should travel with their own supply of remedies for simple ailments such as stomach upsets, as pharmaceutical supplies are usually extremely difficult to obtain.

Travel – International

Note: Despite the civil war having now ended, foreign travellers are still advised not to visit Angola unless on essential business, owing to the current political climate. For further advice visitors should contact their local government travel advice department.

AIR: Angola’s national airline is TAAG Angola Airlines (DT). Airlines serving Angola include Aeroflot, Air France, British Airways and TAP Air Portugal.

Approximate flight times: From London to Luanda is aproximately 12-13 hours (including stopover in Brussels, Lisbon or Paris).

International airports: Luanda (LAD) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city. There are no taxis: visitors must be met by their sponsors or use a transport service provided by their hotel. Airport facilities include a restaurant, bar, post office, currency exchange (0800-1230 and 1430-1800) and 24-hour medical facilities with cholera and yellow fever vaccination available.

Departure tax: None.

SEA: The main ports are Malongo, Lobito, Luanda and Namibe.

RAIL/ROAD: Overland routes to neighbouring countries are generally not open, but conditions are subject to frequent change. Driving outside Luanda is not recommended and can be risky. Travellers should contact an embassy for advice on security along their planned routes. Plans to re-open the Benguela railway seem unlikely to come to fruition the country has become more stable.

Travel – Internal

Note: All travel in the country is very strictly controlled and limited, owing to the unstable political situation. Business travellers should contact an embassy or official representative before travelling. Most of the country is only accessible by air.

AIR: TAAG Angola Airlines operates flights within Angola. There are scheduled services between major towns. However, aircraft run by this airline may not be properly maintained, and travellers should aim to use flights run by reputable international organisations. Private jets are operated by some Portuguese, French and Italian business interests (trading most notably in oil and diamonds) in the north of the country, particularly to and from the Cabinda enclave, which is only accessible by air. Helicopter access to Cabinda is possible as well. Passengers on internal flights must carry official authorisation (guia de marcha).

Approximate flight times: From Luanda to Benguela and Cabinda is 50 minutes, to Huambo is 1 hour, to Namibe is 1 hour 45 minutes and to Lubango is 1 hour 10 minutes.

RAIL: Owing to the instability of the political situation, rail services are erratic, and tickets hard to purchase. Trains run on three separate routes inland from Luanda: to Malanje (daily) with short branches to Dondo and Golungo Alto; Lobito to Dilolo (the Benguela Railway, daily); and Namibe to Menongue (daily). There are no sleeping cars and no air-conditioned services, though food and drink is available on some journeys. Children under three travel free and children aged three to 11 pay half fare.

ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. There were once nearly 8000km (5000 miles) of tarred roads but much of the infrastructure was destroyed in the conflict after 1975. Many roads are unsuitable for travel at present, and local advice should be sought and followed carefully. It is hard to hire a car: taxis are the best way to travel. Car-jacking is a risk. Identity papers must be carried. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

URBAN: Local buses run in Luanda. A flat fare is charged.

ACCOMMODATION: Many hotels in Angola have recently undergone refurbishment, and have air-conditioning, a private bath or shower, a telephone, radio and TV. However, there is a general shortage of accommodation, and it is advisable to book well in advance (at least one month prior to departure); accommodation cannot be booked at the airport. Visitors should also note that accommodation in Luanda is expensive. Further information can also be obtained from SATUL (Sociedade Angolana de Empreendimentos Turisticos e Hotelaria, LDA), Rua do Carmo 8, Luanda (tel: (2) 332 119; fax: (2) 339 820. There is also accommodation in Kissama National Park (see Resorts & Excursions section).

Sport & Activities: Watersports are available on the Mussolo Peninsula. Fishing is available in Santiago.

Social Profile:

Food & Drink: There are severe food and drink shortages at present. Tables should be booked well in advance in the few restaurants and hotels. Notice needs to be given for extra guests.

Nightlife: There are some nightclubs and cinemas in Luanda. Cinema seats should be booked in advance.

Shopping: Traditional handicrafts are sold in the city; shopping is not easy outside the main cities. Shopping hours: These can vary, but are generally Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Special Events: Events and popular holidays held annually in Angola include:

Feb Carnival Day. Mar 27 Victory Day. Apr 14 Youth Day. Aug 1 Armed Forces’ Day. Dec 1 Pioneer’s Day. Dec 10 Foundation of the MPLA Worker’s Party Day.

Social Conventions: Normal social courtesies should be observed. Photography: It is inadvisable to photograph public places, public buildings or public events. Copies of photography permits should be deposited with the British Embassy; permits should be carried at all times. Tipping: Where service charge is not added to the bill, ten per cent is acceptable, although tipping is not officially encouraged. Tipping can be in kind (eg cigarettes).

Business Profile:

Economy: Angola is rich in natural resources, including oil, coffee and diamonds. In the years immediately after independence, economic development was stunted by the departure of 700,000 Portuguese colonists, who controlled the government and most of the economy. Thereafter, a quarter century of civil war reduced the country to ruins. The 2002 peace accord, which brought the war to an end, has allowed reconstruction to begin. In April 2003, the World Bank committed US$100 million to the Angolan reconstruction and rehabilitation programme. However, both the Bank and the IMF are reluctant to release funds until Angola’s endemic corruption has been curtailed.

Agriculture employs over 50 per cent of the population but production has declined so much that, from being a net exporter, Angola now imports over half its food requirements. Fishing, which almost ceased to exist, is now being rejuvenated with foreign aid. New oil and gas fields off the shore of Cabinda (an enclave in the north of the country) are being developed. However, Angola has only one refinery and so exports most of its oil in the crude form. The government is looking to a new cooperative agreement with Algeria and partial privatisation of the state oil firm, Sangol, to boost production and refining capacity. The only other industry of any size is diamond mining. Angola’s largest trading partners are Portugal, Brazil, France and the USA, from whom it imports much of its food and almost all its manufactured equipment.

Business: Lightweight suits are recommended. Many Angolan businesspeople dress casually, wearing open-neck shirts. Any dark colours can be worn for social occasions. As Portuguese is the official language, a knowledge of this is an advantage in business transactions; French and Spanish are also useful. There are limited translation services. Avoid June to September as Angolans tend to take their holidays at this time. Office hours: Mon-Thurs 0730-1230 and 1430-1830, Fri 1430-1730; some offices open Sat 0830-1230.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Câmara de Comércio e Indústria de Angola (Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Largo do Kinaxixi 14, 1 Andar, CP 92, Luanda (tel: (2) 311 170 or 311 191 or 310 935; e-mail: ccira@ebonet.net); or The US-Angola Chamber of Commerce, 1100 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 1000, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA (tel: (202) 223 0540; fax: (202) 223 0551; e-mail: 75031.3361@compuserve.com; website: www.us-angola.org).

Climate

Climate: The north of the country is hot and wet during the summer months (November to April); winters are slightly cooler and mainly dry. The south is hot throughout much of the year with a slight decrease in temperature in winter (May to October).

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year in the south. Tropical clothing for summers in the north. Nights can be cold, so warm clothing should be taken. Waterproofing is advisable for the rainy season throughout the country.

Economic Relation Between India & Angola

During the last two years, after cessation of civil war in Angola in April 2002, India's exports to and investments in Angola have shown a definite upward movement. Several Indian projects for Angola are currently under consideration. Over 150 businessmen from India have visited Angola during the last two years. The potential for growth of economic relations between India and Angola is based particularly on the development and reconstruction projects, railways, telecommunications, water and energy, agriculture etc.

The total exports to Angola during the period 2000-2001 were worth US $ 15.15 million while during the period 2001-2002, they were worth US $ 18.52 million, an increase of 22.57%. Again, the exports to Angola during 2002-2003 were US $ 25.87 million - a growth of 39.32% over the past year. The principle items of exports from India to Angola are meat and preparations, drugs and pharmaceuticals, dairy products, machinery and instruments, cotton yarn, fabrics and made-ups etc. The imports by India from Angola are almost zero. With the peace coming to Angola, several business delegations are visiting Angola. Increased Indian exports to and investments in Angola are expected to follow.

Opportunities for Investment

• Since Angola has now kept its emphasis on sustained development and reconstruction for the country following the cessation of 27 year long civil war in April 2002, vast opportunities for Indian investments in Angola exist in the following fields:
• Construction of roads, railway projects, schools, rural hospitals and mass housing:  Some private companies from India have visited Angola during the last one year to undertake some of these projects.
• Rehabilitation of Angolan railways: Experts from RITES Limited, Gurgaon have visited Angola in June 2003. This is being followed up.
• Improvement of Angolan Telecom: At present, Telecom sector in Angola offers highly limited services and needs expansion. India can vastly assist Angola in this field. Indian Telecom can certainly make a presence in Angola.
• Diamond trading and setting up of diamond cutting and polishing units in Angola is still another area for investment for India. Angola has been considering to issue a notification for inviting foreign investments in the diamond sector. Once Angola formalizes privatization of / foreign participation in diamond sector, it will open vast opportunities for India. At present, the diamond sector in Angola is largely in the hands of Government of Angola.
• Improvement of Water and Energy services in Angola: These sectors require a vast improvement and India can provide much needed assistance in this regard, including supply of agricultural equipment to Angola.
• EXIM Bank of India has already extended a credit line of US $ five million to Angola. The Government of Angola has formally accepted this credit. This credit line can open vast opportunities for increasing India's exports to Angola as well as for providing professional services and setting up of projects in Angola. Increase in the quantum of credit line by India will certainly provide a spurt in the growth of Indian exports to and projects in Angola.

Foreign Trade:

Diamond and oil are the two main strengths of Angola. It produces 1 million barrels of oil per day and oil production in year 2001 was 5 million carats over one year. However, Angola has a high inflation rate at 100% per year. Angola's exports and imports are given below:

Angola's main destinations of export were USA, China, France, Belgium and Spain while the main origins of import were Portugal, South Africa, USA, France and Brazil. The main items of export were crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas while the main items of import were consumer goods, capital goods, intermediate goods and good.

Main items of India's exports to Angola are meat and preparations, drugs and pharmaceuticals, dairy products, machinery and instruments, cotton yarn, fabrics and made-ups etc.