Angola Roundup: Money laundering, coffee production, trade and investments

Angola’s first police commander honoured

Angola’s first general commander of the National Police was honoured on March 12, 2024. The ceremony happened in the municipality of Baía Farta, province of Benguela. Santana André Pitra known as "Petroff” received a diploma, medal, and others during the opening of the year of Police Instruction and Training – 2024/2025. The tribute was made by the general commander of the corporation, General Commissioner Arnaldo Manuel Carlos, Journal de Angola reports. The Police officer also served as the patron of the Police School, provincial governor of Huambo, and Minister of Interior. Petroff was the first general commander after the country gained independence on November 11, 1975.

First lady promotes good practices in national companies

The First Lady of the Republic, Ana Dias Lourenço has appealed to national companies to promote good practices and best organizational and management models as part of efforts to boost the country’s socioeconomic growth and development. Speaking during the award ceremony of the 10th edition of the Sirius Awards, Ana Dias Lourenço underscored good practices as the foundation of any economy, with the performance of organizations that contribute to the country's advancement. She further noted that this will incentivise other companies and managers to appreciate the context and the real challenges of Angola and the world, local news platform Folha 8 reports.

Angola’s trade and investment rankings

A US report on Barriers to Foreign Trade has placed Angola as one of the countries that abuses direct adjustments. The annual report which describes trade and investment practices in 58 countries and markets further indicates that the Central African country is undermined by corruption. According to Novo Jornal, the country’s openness in investment and trade is highlighted. The report looks at trade practices in other countries including Ethiopia, South Africa, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tunisia.

Government commits to tackling money laundering

Angola’s Economy Minister has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling money laundering, terrorist financing, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the country. According to José de Lima Massano, Angola is determined to guarantee legislation in line with international standards to ensure successful implementation considering the worrying trend of money laundering in the country. He was speaking at the opening of the 47^th Meeting of the Task Force of the Anti-Money Laundering Group for Eastern and Southern Africa in Lubango, Huila province, Angola24Horas reports.

Coffee production project

Governor of Cuanza-Norte in Angola has announced his intentions to make the province a “bastion” of coffee. João Gaspar, during his first official visit to the municipality of Banga indicated plans to revitalize coffee production in the municipality through the introduction of a project which will be launched in the coming days. The project, according to Jornal de Angola will create more employment for peasant families while diversifying eh local economy. According to Jornal de Angola, it will be supported by the anti-poverty program and others at a national level.