Home > Country
 

Angola Flag of Angola

Communications:  Pre-Arrival
Facilities:  Medical
Local Info:  Time | Holidays
Shore:  Telephones | Banks | Customs
Crew:  Leave | Repatriation
Misc:  General | Authority
General Information for Angola
Geo-political:
Capital City: Luanda. 08° 50.00′ S, 013° 13.00′ E
Nationality: (noun) Angolan(s), (adjective) Angolan.
Population: 32,522,339 (July 2020).
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 244.
Number of Internal Airports: 102 (2020).
Major Languages Spoken: Portuguese 71.2% (official), Umbundu 23%, Kikongo 8.2%, Kimbundu 7.8%, Chokwe 6.5%, Nhaneca 3.4%, Nganguela 3.1%, Fiote 2.4%, Kwanhama 2.3%, Muhumbi 2.1%, Luvale 1% and others 3.6%.
Economy:
Currency: 1 Kwanza (AOA) of 100 Lwei.
Exchange Rates:  (as of February 2021)
USD 1.00 = AOA 655.23
Exchange rates under licence from XE.com
Main Industries: Petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, gold, cement, basic metal products, fish processing, food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar, textiles and ship repair.
Agricultural Products: Bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, cassava, manioc, tapioca, tobacco, vegetables, plantains, livestock, forest products and fish.
Imports: Machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles, spare parts, medicines, food, textiles and military goods.
Exports: Crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, fish, fish products, timber and cotton.
Commodities: Crude: Production 1,593,000 bbl/d. Exports 1,782,000 bbl/d. Reserves 9,523,000,000 bbl. Products: Production 53,480 bbl/d. Exports 30,340 bbl/d. Imports 111,600 bbl/d. LNG: Production 3,115,000,000 cu.m.. Exports 3,993,000,000 cu.m.. Reserves 308,100,000,000 cu.m..
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Contiguous Zone: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m. Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 1,600 km.
Climate: Semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April).
Natural Resources: Petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite and uranium.
Natural Hazards: Locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau.
Terrain: Narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:  Information to be provided by ships and/or Agent for vessels demanding entry permission in to Angolan waters. To be forwarded to the Harbour's Master of the first port of call in the Republic of Angola, at least 72 hours prior to arrival. Ships not complying with this request may be denied entry and/or have another penalty applied.
Message: 
  1. Port(s) of destination, in Angola
  2. Name of facility to be visited
  3. Name of ship
  4. Flag
  5. Port of registry
  6. Type of ship
  7. Place for inspection (Authorities)
  8. g.t.
  9. Year built
  10. Call sign
  11. IMO No.
  12. ISPS Certificate (ISSC No., expiry date)
  13. Classification society
  14. Agent
  15. Owner
  16. Management company
  17. ETA (day, hour)
  18. ETD (day, hour)
  19. Name and rank of the SSO
  20. Name and contact of the company Security Officer
  21. Actual ship security level
  22. Intended Security level
  23. No. of crew on board
  24. No. of passengers on board
  25. No. of unauthorised people on board
  26. Have you experienced any security related incidents during your last 3 port calls, including during the sea voyages in between them
  27. Did you take any special or additional security measures during your last 3 port calls, including during the sea voyages in between them
  28. Has there been any physical interaction between you and another vessel at sea since your last port call
  29. Do you have any dangerous or hazardous materials on board (If yes specify)
  30. Is a Declaration of Security required (If yes specify your reasons)
  31. Name the last 10 ports of call and security level (name of the port, port facility and country called.
MEDICAL:  There are several competent private clinics run by expatriate organisations in Luanda. Fees are high and are charged in advance. Outside Luanda health care is very limited.
Also see " General".
HOLIDAYS:  1 January; 4 February; Labour Day; Birth and Funeral Day of President Neto; 11 November (Independence Day); 10 December (Date of the Foundation of MPLA); 25 December (Christmas Day). 24 December is half-day holiday.
TELEPHONES:  Telephone numbers in Angola are 9 digits long (except for special services numbers such as the police) and must always be dialled in their entirety. Land-line (fixed line) numbers start with digit 2, followed by an `area code' that corresponds to a geographic area. After the `area code', there is the telecom operator's identifier, which consists of one digit, then the subscriber number. Mobile numbers have no geographic area, and they start with the operator's identifier which is currently 91 or 92.
Not all foreign mobile phone companies have roaming arrangements with Angola. SMS text messages may not get through or for those that do you may not be able to receive the reply. Mobile coverage outside the main urban areas is patchy. When travelling outside Luanda it is advisable to carry a mobile phone with contracts to both Unitel and Movicel as coverage for each provider varies throughout the country.
Also see " General".
BANKS:  Credit cards are only accepted in a very limited number of hotels and restaurants, although this is increasing. Always ask whether your card will be accepted before incurring expenditure. There have been reports of credit cards being cloned for fraudulent purposes so you are advised to exercise caution when using your card.
The number of ATMs is growing in Luanda and other cities. Check with your card issuer to see if your card will be accepted.
Travellers' cheques are not accepted. Funds may be sent from the UK to Angola (but not in the other direction) by Western Union which has a number of agencies in Luanda and elsewhere and whose details are listed on the company's website.
It is recommended to bring enough cash for your needs or ensure that your sponsoring company or agency has made suitable arrangements. US dollars are widely used. Old series dollar bills (with small heads) are not accepted, nor are damaged or torn dollar bills.
There are limits on the amount of cash that can be imported and exported. The limit is currently the equivalent of USD 15,000. Imports over this limit should be declared and the relevant forms completed on arrival. If you wish to re-export currency over the USD 15,000 limit you will need to show your original declaration form to the Customs authority at the airport/port.
If currency over USD 15,000 is acquired whilst in Angola, you will need to obtain authorisation from the National Bank to export the currency.
Undeclared imports or exports of amounts over the equivalent of USD 15,000 are liable to seizure. The limits are subject to change. You should check the current limits with the Angolan Embassy or the National Bank.
It is illegal to take any Kwanzas (the local currency) out of the country. Destruction of Kwanza notes is illegal. You can expect to be searched at the airport to ensure you are not leaving the country carrying Kwanza.
Also see " General".
CUSTOMS:  Serviço Nacional das Alfandegas. Gabinete do Director Nacional, Rua Teresa Afonso No. 2, Caixa Postal 1254, Luanda. Tel: +244 222 339 495, 222 372 650, 222 339 490, 222 372 600. Fax: +244 222 372 613, 222 339 490. [email protected] www.alfandegas.gv.ao/
Cabinda:  Servico Regional de Cabinda. Caixa Postal 461, Rua do Comercio, Porto de Cabinda, Cabinda. Tel: +244 3122 2421. Fax: +244 312 2475.
Lobito:  Servico Regional do Lobito. Caixa Postal 50, Avenida da Independencia, Largo da Restauracao 4, Benguela. Tel: +244 2722 2616. Fax: +244 2722 2187.
Luanda:  Servico Regional da Alfandega de Luanda. Caixa Postal No. 1254, Av. 4 de Fevereiro, Marginal, Largo Diogo Cao, (Junto ao Porto de Luanda), Luanda. Tel: +244 222 310 620. Fax: +244 222 310 633.
Namibe:  Serviço Regional Aduaneira do Namibe. Caixa Postal No. 46, Rua Eduardo Mondlene, Namibe. Tel: +244 264 263 216, 264 263 218. Fax: +244 264 260 216, 264 260 218.
SHORE LEAVE:  There is a high level of crime in Luanda. Muggings (particularly to steal mobile phones and other valuables) and armed robberies can occur in any area at any time of the day or night. Areas popular with foreigners are particular targets. Avoid walking around Luanda, especially after dark.
Avoid wearing jewellery or watches in public places. Do not change or withdraw large sums of money in busy public areas. Avoid walking between bars and restaurants on the Ilha do Cabo (Luanda). Also avoid crowded places such as markets.
Theft from stationary or slow-moving cars is common in downtown Luanda. Keep valuables out of sight and do not use mobiles or laptops while in traffic. A high proportion of the civilian population is armed.
Take precautions with your valuables and cash. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, in a separate place from the documents themselves.
Carry a certified copy of your passport (data page and visa) and/or identity documents at all times for identification purposes or you will be liable for an on-the-spot fine of USD 100.
You must not use cameras, binoculars, maps, GPS equipment, etc. near government buildings of any description. Taking photographs in the streets can draw the attention of the authorities. Your equipment may be confiscated.
Drug taking and smuggling are offences. The punishments can be severe. Prison conditions are very poor.
Also see " General".
REPATRIATION:  If you are drunk when you arrive at Luanda airport you may be refused entry, detained and deported. Similarly, airlines can and do refuse to carry passengers out of Angola if they are drunk.
Also see " General".
GENERAL:  Information obtained from UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office website. Consult www.gov.uk/fco/ for updates.
AUTHORITY:  Ministerio dos Transportes, Instituto Maritimo Portuario de Angola, 4th Floor, 74 Rainha Ginga, Luanda, Angola. T: +244 2223 90034. F: +244 2223 11582. www.mintrans.gov.ao Contact: Dr Victor A de Carvalho, Director.