Financial Crime World

Angola’s Efforts to Combat Organized Crime and Corruption

Overview of Challenges

Angola has been working to combat organized crime and corruption, but faces significant challenges in areas such as law enforcement, economic and financial environment, civil society, and social protection.

Key Areas of Concern

Law Enforcement

  • Angola’s police force is understaffed and plagued by corruption.
  • However, efforts have been made to combat cross-border crimes, with the country’s border police systematically carrying out operations to address these issues.

Judicial System

  • The judicial system in Angola faces challenges related to:
    • Executive control
    • Lack of trained judges and lawyers
    • Inadequate infrastructure

Economic and Financial Environment

  • Angola has a difficult business environment due to:
    • Poor land and property rights
    • Institutionalized corruption
    • Need for political connections to expand a business

Money Laundering

  • The country is vulnerable to money laundering, with an estimated US$17 billion having been funneled out of the country by corrupt networks in the last five years.

Civil Society and Social Protection

  • Angola has made some progress in supporting victims of trafficking and modern slavery, but more needs to be done to meet international standards.

Efforts to Improve Response to Organized Crime and Corruption

Anti-Corruption Efforts

  • The president has begun efforts to restore investor confidence by prioritizing anti-corruption and calling for the restructuring of state-owned enterprises.

Cooperation with International Partners

  • Angola is working with international partners such as:
    • South Africa
    • Brazil
    • Portugal
    • UNODC
    • US Treasury to combat financial crimes and corruption.

Legislative Reforms

  • A new penal code has been passed that explicitly combats financial, fauna and flora crimes.

Remaining Challenges

Limited Freedom of the Press

  • Criminal defamation laws continue to limit freedom of the press, leading to censorship of journalists.

Weak Civil Society

  • Civil society remains weak and its protest actions are often suppressed by the government.

Inadequate Infrastructure

  • The legal infrastructure in Angola is still inadequate and only partially compliant with international standards.