Angola

Republic of Angola

Country

Native name

República de Angola

Capital

Luanda

Largest city

Luanda

Demonym

Angolan

Government

Unitary presidential republic

Legislature

National Assembly

Area

1,246,700 km²

Population

39,040,039 (2025 estimate)

Currency

Angolan kwanza (AOA)

Calling code

+244

Internet TLD

.ao

Website

Official website

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola (Portuguese: República de Angola), is a country on the Atlantic coast of Southern Africa. It is bordered by Namibia to the south, Zambia to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north and northeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The province of Cabinda is an exclave separated from the rest of Angola by a narrow part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Angola covers about 1,246,700 square kilometres.

Luanda is the capital and largest city. Portuguese is the country's official language, while a number of African languages, including Umbundu, Kikongo, Kimbundu, Chokwe and Kwanyama, are also spoken. The World Bank estimated Angola's population at about 39 million in 2025.

Angola was governed by Portugal for centuries before becoming independent on 11 November 1975. Independence was followed by a prolonged civil war involving the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). A ceasefire agreement signed on 4 April 2002 brought the main armed conflict to an end.

Angola has large petroleum and mineral resources and is one of Africa's important oil-producing economies. Oil has historically provided most of the country's export earnings and a large share of government revenue, while diamonds, agriculture, fisheries, trade and other services contribute to the non-oil economy.

Name

The name Angola is historically connected to the title ngola, which was used by rulers of the pre-colonial Kingdom of Ndongo. Portuguese contact with societies in the region began in the late 15th century, and the name gradually became associated with the territory that developed into Portuguese Angola.

The official name of the modern state is the Republic of Angola.

Geography

Angola lies on the western side of Southern Africa and has a long coastline facing the South Atlantic Ocean. The country covers approximately 1,246,700 square kilometres.

The country's landscape can broadly be divided into a coastal lowland, interior hills and mountains, and a large plateau extending across much of the interior. Elevation generally rises sharply eastward from the coast. Mount Moco, in Huambo Province, reaches about 2,620 metres and is the country's highest point.

Important rivers include the Cuanza, Cunene, Cubango and several tributaries of the Congo River system. Angola's waterways support agriculture, hydroelectric power, ecosystems and local transportation.

The detached province of Cabinda lies north of the main territory, between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.

Climate

Angola's climate varies substantially between its coast, highlands and interior. Much of the country has distinct wet and dry seasons. The coastal southwest is considerably drier than northern and central regions, partly because of the influence of the cool Benguela Current.

The Permanent Mission of Angola to the United Nations describes a rainy period broadly extending from September to May and a drier season during the remaining months, although local conditions vary significantly by region and elevation.

Natural environment

Angola contains tropical forests, savannas, highlands, river systems, semi-arid landscapes and Atlantic coastal ecosystems. Its natural resources include petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, copper, gold and other minerals, together with substantial agricultural land, fisheries and hydropower potential.

Notable natural landmarks include Kalandula Falls in Malanje Province and the eroded coastal landscape known as Miradouro da Lua, south of Luanda.

Administrative divisions

Angola underwent a major administrative reorganisation that took effect in 2025. It is divided into 21 provinces, replacing the previous structure of 18 provinces. The reform also established 326 municipalities and 378 communes.

The 21 provinces are:

• Bengo
• Benguela
• Bié
• Cabinda
• Cuando
• Cubango
• Cuanza Norte
• Cuanza Sul
• Cunene
• Huambo
• Huíla
• Icolo e Bengo
• Luanda
• Lunda Norte
• Lunda Sul
• Malanje
• Moxico
• Moxico Leste
• Namibe
• Uíge
• Zaire

The changes included the creation of Cuando, Cubango, Moxico Leste and Icolo e Bengo as part of the restructuring of earlier provincial boundaries.

History

Early states and Portuguese expansion

Before modern Angola emerged, the region contained a number of established African societies and political states. Among the most influential were the Kingdom of Kongo in the north and the Kingdom of Ndongo farther south.

Portuguese sailors reached the Congo region during the late 15th century. Over the following centuries, Portuguese commercial and military influence expanded along the coast and gradually into the interior. Luanda was founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century and became a major colonial centre.

The Atlantic slave trade had a profound impact on the region. Large numbers of people from areas that are now part of Angola were transported across the Atlantic, particularly to Portuguese America and later Brazil.

Portuguese control expanded unevenly and faced repeated resistance from African kingdoms and local communities. Effective colonial occupation of much of the interior developed gradually, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Independence movement

Nationalist movements expanded during the 20th century as opposition to Portuguese colonial rule grew. Major organisations included the MPLA, UNITA and the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA).

Armed resistance against Portuguese rule began in 1961 and became part of the wider Portuguese Colonial War. Political change in Portugal following the Carnation Revolution of 1974 led the new Portuguese authorities to begin withdrawing from their African colonies.

Angola became independent on 11 November 1975.

Civil war

Competition among the MPLA, UNITA and FNLA developed into a major conflict around independence. The MPLA established control of Luanda and became the governing movement.

The conflict became closely connected to the wider Cold War. Cuba and the Soviet Union supported the MPLA government, while UNITA received support at different stages from countries including South Africa and the United States.

Attempts to end the conflict included the Bicesse Accords of 1991 and the Lusaka Protocol of 1994. The United Nations also deployed several missions to monitor ceasefires and the peace process. UNAVEM II, established in 1991, later received a mandate to observe and verify the 1992 presidential and legislative elections.

Fighting resumed after the 1992 elections and continued, despite further peace efforts, through much of the 1990s.

UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi was killed in February 2002. On 4 April 2002, representatives of the Angolan armed forces and UNITA signed a memorandum of understanding and ceasefire agreement. UNITA subsequently demobilised its armed wing, marking the end of the country's principal civil war.

The conflict caused extensive displacement, deaths and damage to infrastructure. Human Rights Watch reported that millions of people had been internally displaced during the later stages of the war.

Post-war period

The end of the civil war allowed the government to extend administration throughout the country and begin large-scale reconstruction. Roads, housing, energy systems and other infrastructure expanded during the following decades, supported in part by high petroleum revenues.

José Eduardo dos Santos, who had led Angola since 1979, left the presidency in 2017. João Lourenço became president on 26 September 2017.

Government and politics

Angola is governed under a constitution adopted in 2010. The political system gives the president a central role as head of state and holder of executive authority.

The legislature is the National Assembly. Angola has a multiparty political system, although the MPLA has governed the country since independence.

In the general election held on 24 August 2022, the MPLA received 51.17% of valid votes and won 124 seats in the National Assembly. UNITA received 43.95% and won 90 seats.

Under Angola's electoral system, the person heading the national list of the party receiving the most votes becomes president. João Lourenço therefore began a second presidential term. Esperança da Costa, who was second on the MPLA list, became vice-president and the first woman to hold that office.

As of 2026, João Lourenço is president and Esperança da Costa is vice-president.

Foreign relations

Angola participates in regional and international organisations and maintains diplomatic relations across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.

It is a member of the United Nations, African Union, Southern African Development Community and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. Angola joined the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor of the African Union, in 1975.

Its regional diplomacy has included involvement in peace, security and mediation efforts in central and southern Africa.

Economy

Angola has one of the larger resource-based economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Petroleum has dominated state revenue and exports for decades.

According to the World Bank, oil has recently accounted for roughly 20% of gross domestic product, around 60% of government tax revenue and about 95% of exports. This dependence makes public finances and economic growth sensitive to changes in global oil prices and domestic production.

Crude petroleum, liquefied natural gas and diamonds are among the country's leading exports.

Oil and mining

Angola possesses large offshore oil reserves, and petroleum production has played a central role in the country's economy since the late colonial period.

Diamonds are another important export. Angola also has deposits of iron, gold, copper, phosphate and other minerals.

The government has promoted economic diversification because of the risks created by heavy dependence on petroleum. The World Bank has identified agriculture, fisheries, mining, manufacturing and services as important areas for broader long-term growth.

Agriculture and fisheries

Agriculture remains an important source of food and employment, especially in rural areas. Smallholder farming accounts for a large proportion of agricultural activity. The International Fund for Agricultural Development estimates that a substantial share of Angola's population depends on agriculture for food, employment or income.

Important crops include cassava, maize, beans, bananas and other food crops. Angola was also historically an important producer of coffee.

The country's long Atlantic coastline supports commercial and artisanal fishing. Fisheries are regarded as an important non-oil sector and source of livelihoods.

Recent economic conditions

Angola returned to economic growth after a recession from 2016 to 2020, although income per person remained below earlier peaks.

The International Monetary Fund reported that real economic growth was 3.1% in 2025. Inflation declined to 12.4% in March 2026 after being substantially higher in previous periods. The IMF also noted continued risks from declining oil production, oil-price volatility, public financing requirements and the need for broader economic diversification.

In September 2026, IMF staff again identified diversification, fiscal adjustment, governance improvements and private investment as important issues for Angola's longer-term economic stability.

Demographics

The World Bank estimated Angola's population at 39,040,039 in 2025 and an annual population growth rate of about 3%.

Angola has a young population. The World Bank reports that roughly half of the population is below 18 years of age, giving the country a potentially large future working-age population while also creating substantial demand for schools, health services, housing and employment.

Urbanisation has increased substantially over recent decades, with Luanda becoming by far the country's largest urban centre.

Ethnic groups

Angola is home to numerous ethnic and linguistic communities. Major groups include the Ovimbundu, Ambundu and Bakongo, alongside Chokwe and several other communities. Population identities are connected to different regional histories and languages.

Languages

Portuguese is the official language and is widely used in government, education, media and urban life. African languages remain important throughout the country.

Frequently spoken national languages include Umbundu, Kikongo, Kimbundu, Chokwe, Mbunda, Kwanyama, Nhaneca, Fiote and Nganguela.

Religion

Christianity is the predominant religion in Angola. Roman Catholic and Protestant churches have large communities, while local religious traditions and other beliefs are also present.

Historical missionary activity during the colonial era contributed to Christianity's widespread presence, while Angolan religious life also reflects indigenous cultural traditions.

Education

Angola's education system includes primary, secondary, vocational and higher education. Portuguese is the principal language of formal instruction.

The country's long war disrupted schools and educational infrastructure in many regions. Since 2002, Angola has expanded educational facilities, teacher recruitment and higher education, although access and quality remain uneven.

UNESCO literacy data have historically shown improvement in adult and youth literacy while also identifying disparities by gender and age.

Health

Angola has made improvements in several health indicators, but infectious diseases, maternal and child health, access to medical care and differences between urban and rural areas remain important public-health issues.

The World Health Organization reported male life expectancy at birth of about 60 years and female life expectancy of about 64.3 years for 2021. The under-five mortality rate was reported at 35.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024.

Public-health programmes include vaccination, maternal and child care, disease surveillance and responses to outbreaks. Angola continued campaigns against poliomyelitis and other communicable diseases in 2026.

Culture

Angolan culture reflects the traditions of its numerous communities as well as several centuries of interaction with the Portuguese-speaking world.

Music and dance occupy an important place in national life. Semba developed as a major Angolan musical and dance tradition and has influenced later popular styles. UNESCO describes semba as an important expression of Angolan identity and is supporting a 2025–2027 safeguarding project focused on its transmission to younger generations.

Kizomba developed in Angola during the late 20th century and later gained an international audience.

Angolan literature has developed primarily in Portuguese as well as through oral traditions and local languages. Themes of colonialism, independence, war, identity, migration and everyday life have influenced many Angolan writers.

Cultural heritage

Mbanza Kongo, the former political and spiritual centre of the Kingdom of Kongo, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017. It is Angola's first property on the World Heritage List.

In 2023, the tradition of Sona, geometric drawings made in sand, was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Media

Angola has television, radio, print and online media. Portuguese dominates national news and broadcasting.

State-owned outlets have historically had a major presence in television, radio and newspapers, while private and online media have expanded since the transition to multiparty politics.

Sport

Football is one of the country's most popular sports. The Angola national football team has participated in the Africa Cup of Nations and qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, its first appearance at the tournament.

Basketball is also highly popular. Angola has been one of Africa's historically successful men's national basketball teams, winning multiple continental championships.

Handball and roller hockey are also played competitively, particularly in urban areas.

Development

Angola's considerable natural-resource wealth exists alongside significant social and economic development challenges. Poverty, income inequality, employment, access to basic services and regional differences remain central policy issues.

In the 2025 Human Development Report, the United Nations Development Programme placed Angola in the medium human-development category and ranked it 148th among 193 countries and territories.

Economic diversification, education, health, infrastructure, employment and stronger institutions are among the areas identified by international development organisations as important to improving living standards.

See also

• Luanda
• Southern Africa
• History of Angola
• Politics of Angola
• Economy of Angola
• Culture of Angola
• Mbanza Kongo
• Kalandula Falls

External links

• Official Government Portal of Angola
• Permanent Mission of Angola to the United Nations
• World Bank – Angola
• United Nations Development Programme – Angola
• World Health Organization – Angola