Financial Crime World

Angola: A Complex Landscape of Organized Crime, Economic Challenges, and Social Protection Efforts

Organized Crime: A Persistent Threat

Angola faces significant challenges in combating organized crime due to corruption, understaffing, and inadequate resources. Despite efforts to combat cocaine trafficking, the police force is plagued by corruption, impunity, arbitrary arrests, and extra-judicial killings.

  • Corruption: Angola’s law enforcement agencies struggle with corruption, which undermines their effectiveness in combating organized crime.
  • Understaffing and Inadequate Resources: The police force lacks sufficient personnel and resources to effectively combat organized crime.
  • Training and Equipment: Operations against cocaine trafficking have received support from South African authorities, but more needs to be done.

Economic and Financial Environment: A Difficult Business Climate

Angola is one of the most difficult countries in the world to do business due to poor land and property rights, high levels of institutionalized corruption, and a vulnerable banking system.

  • Business-Friendly Reforms: The president has initiated efforts to restore investor confidence by prioritizing anti-corruption and calling for the restructuring of state-owned enterprises.
  • Oil Price Shock: The 2020 oil price shock amid the COVID-19 pandemic has put significant pressure on the Angolan economy.

Civil Society and Social Protection: Progress and Challenges

Angola meets only a third of international mechanisms agreed upon to support victims exiting modern slavery, but there have been efforts to improve support for trafficking victims and create a witness protection program.

  • Support for Trafficking Victims: The country has improved its efforts to support victims of trafficking.
  • Witness Protection Program: A law has been passed to create a witness protection program.
  • Rehabilitation Services: National and community-level rehabilitation services are available for people who use drugs, but freedom of the press is still limited.

Combating Organized Crime: Efforts and Challenges

Angola has launched operations to combat cross-border crimes, including the illegal extraction of diamonds and funding for international terrorism. The country has deepened its cooperation with the UNODC and US Treasury to better combat financial crimes and corruption.

  • Cross-Border Crimes: Angola has launched operations to combat cross-border crimes.
  • International Cooperation: The country has strengthened its cooperation with international organizations to combat organized crime.