Why going to Angola for work? For some candidates it is the range of opportunities available in their sector or role, for others it’s the chance to be part of Africa’s growth and development. There are also the attractive promotions and leadership opportunities that go along with a growing market that makes Angola an incredible place for working abroad.
Laura Soveral was born on March 23, 1933 in Benguela, Angola, Portugal as Maria Laura de Soveral Rodrigues. She is an actress, known forFúria de Viver(2002),Tabu(2012) and Alice(2005).
Angola has become one of the most interesting countries to do business in sub-Saharan Africa. Only 12 years ago, on February 22, 2002 , the assassination of Jonas Savimbi (Leader of UNITA, main opposition party) put an end to 27 years of civil war in Angola , ensuring the long-awaited peace and leaving a country in need (and desire) of everything. Key infrastructure had been destroyed, and so was the industrial sector, except for the oil sector. Since then, it began a process of rebuilding the country and unparalleled economic growth, mainly driven by the vast natural wealth of the country (mainly oil, but also diamonds, minerals, timber and other natural resources)..
High costs in money and time
Barriers to free trade and speculation have led Luanda to be named the most expensive city in the world to live. Foreign entrepreneurs who decide to visit the country should be aware that hotel rooms cost around $400 USD per night, renting a car with a driver (must) will be $140 USD a day, and a business dinner will not cost less than $70 USD per person. Costs will not only be monetary, but also in time. As you leave the airport towards the hotel, you will find the infamous “engarrafamento ” (traffic jam) all over the city , which slows down dramatically all daily commuting.
Attention to safety
As in any country where there is social inequality, security is a matter of utmost importance. We must try not to look like a typical newcomer, avoid sensitive areas, exercise caution at night, always try to be accompanied, have a trusted driver to take you from door to door, do not seem ostentatious, etc. Also, make sure to comply at all times with the rules, and carry a certified photocopy of your passport as well as your visa, to avoid problems with the police.
Difficulties in obtaining high-level interviews
Keep in mind that local businessmen are mostly informal, and it is not easy to set up meetings with people who have the ability to make the final decision. This point is even more complicated if the client is the government or when going after public tenders. Bureaucracy is extremely complicated (but getting better every day) and often lengthen the negotiation, contracting, implementation and payment processes.
Logistics and customs barriers
You will always work with FOB and CIF prices, and unless you know a good shipper (who will charge around 2% of the CIF value of the goods), never run the risk of customs formalities and delivery at customer’s warehouse. Customs in Angola are a completely opaque world, full of obstacles, and endless documentation requirements to provide that if it contains a minor error further delays the process a fair deal. Once past customs clearance, and especially if the customer’s warehouse is located outside Luanda, the whole series of difficulties for safe deliveries arises: bad roads, traffic, damage to goods in transport, theft, etc.
Getting paid
Getting paid for your work is also subject to surprises, and we must always demand the best guarantees and use secure payment instruments. It is common practice in the implementation of projects (not product sales) to receive a down payment to start its implementation, and it is essential to use irrevocable and confirmed letters of credit to ensure the reception of promised amounts. Large importers and distributors, although depending on the sector, often work with payment at the reception of shipping documents or with 30 – 60 days credit.
You should also pay attention and even "imitate" other business that have succeeded in this country, here you can find two of the best examples in Angola:
Sambizanga is a 1972 film by director Sarah Maldoror. Set in 1961 at the onset of the Angolan War of Independence, it follows the struggles of Angolan militants involved with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), an anti-colonial political movement of which Maldoror's husband, Mário Coelho Pinto de Andrade, was a leader. The film is based on the novella A vida verdadeira de Domingos Xavier ("The Real Life of Domingos Xavier") by Angolan writer José Luandino Vieira.
4. Les Oubliées
Les Oubliées (The forgotten women) is a 1996 documentary film directed by Anne-Laure Folly of Togo and shot in Angola. The film is a documentary about Angola. It tells of the heavy cost of war to women. After ten years of struggle for independence, the war in Angola had continued for another twenty years. The film explores the motives of the combatants, which were linked to the cold war, Cuban intervention and the racist South African regime.In this film, Folly lets women tell their own stories. She shows the women from mid- or close-range, forcing the viewer to focus on their faces rather than their bodies or surroundings, and takes the time to let them say what they have to say, giving a unique women's perspective of the conflict. Folly participates in the film through her voice-over, giving a subjective element. She admits that she is not familiar with Angola, and certainly is not an authority. The film thus becomes a record of Folly's own journey of discovery.
3. The Hero
The Hero (Portuguese: O Herói) is a film about the life of average Angolans after the Angolan Civil War. The film follows the lives of four individuals; Vitório, a war veteran crippled by a landmine who returns to Luanda, Manu, a young boy searching for his soldier father, Joana, a teacher who mentors the boy, and Judite (later known as Maria Barbara), a prostitute who begins a romantic relationship with Vitório. Directed by Zézé Gamboa, The Hero won the 2005 Sundance World Dramatic Cinema Jury Grand Prize. It is a joint Angolan, Portuguese, French production, but was filmed entirely in Angola.
2. Hollow City
Hollow City (Na Cidade Vazia) (2004) is the first full-length movie directed by Angolan-born director Maria João Ganga. The film is one of the first to be produced in Angola since the end of the civil war, and the first film produced by an Angolan woman. Filming was done on location in the capital city of Luanda, Angola. International versions of the film are in the Portuguese language withEnglish subtitles.
1. The Great Kilapy
The Great Kilapy (Portuguese: O Grande Kilapy) is a 2012 comedy-drama film directed by Zézé Gamboa. The film was aninternational co-production between companies in Angola, Brazil and Portugal. Joao Fraga is a young Angolan, descendant of a rich family from the colonial period. This mestizo boy just wants to live his life, having fun with friends and spending his money. Although he is the Senior Executive of National Bank of Angola, he diverts the institution's own funds, distributing money to colleagues and activists for the liberation of Angola. Joao goes to jail, but when he got out of prison, is upheld by society as a local hero.
Angolan cuisineis thecuisineofAngola, a country in south-centralAfrica. Because Angola was aPortuguese colonyfor centuries,Portuguese cuisinehas significantly influenced Angolan cuisine, with many foods imported into Angola by the Portuguese. Here you have the 10 most famous dishes of this country:
Cabidela(Portuguese pronunciation: [kɐbiˈðɛɫɐ]), a dish cooked in blood, served with rice andfunge. Frequently chicken (galinha de cabidela,galinha à cabidela), served withvinegar, tomatoes, onion and garlic. It was also incorporated to Brazilian cuisine.
Caldeirada de cabrito([kaɫde(j)ˈɾaðɐ dɨ kɐˈβɾitu]),goat meatstewserved with rice, a traditional dish for Angolan independence day, November 11.
Fish stews, includingcaldeirada de peixe([dɨ ˈpe(j)ʃɨ̥]), made with "whatever is available" and served with rice, andmuzongue([muˈzõɡɨ̥]), made from whole dried and fresh fish cooked with palm oil, sweet potato, onion, tomato, spinach, and spices, and served with rice, spinach,funje, and farofa; some Angolans believe that the stew is ahangovercure if eaten before the onset of the headache.
Calulu([kɐɫuˈɫu]), dried fish with vegetables, often onions, tomatoes, okra, sweet potatoes, garlic, palm oil, andgimboaleaves (similar to spinach); often served with rice,funge, palm oil beans, andfarofa.
Caruru([kɐɾuˈɾu]), ashrimpand okra stew, of Brazilian origin.
Catatos([kɐˈtatuɕ]),caterpillarfried with garlic, served with rice; a specialty inUígeç
Chikuanga([ʃikuˈɐ̃ɡɐ]), a bread made from manioc flour, served in a wrap ofbananaleaves; a specialty of northeast Angola.
Cocada amarela([kuˈkaðɐ]or[kɔˈkaðɐ]), yellowcoconutpuddingmade with sugar, grated coconut,egg yolks, and groundcinnamon, adessertin both Mozambique and Angola. It is very different from what is known ascocadain Brazil.
Doce de ginguba([ˈdosɨ̥ dɨ ʒĩˈɡuβɐ]), peanut candy.
Farofa([fɐˈɾɔ̞fɐ]),rice and beanswith toasted manioc flour on top; a dish of Brazilian origin common in Angola. What is referred to asfarofain Brazil is quite different – a mix of toasted manioc, savory, sweet and/or sour-and-sweet ingredients, and spices such as garlic, onion, rosemary and/or chives and parsley.
Angola has transformed its economy after its civil war to become the fastest growing African economy. It is also one of the world’s fastest growing. Eximbank in China approved a $2 billion credit line in 2004 to be used for infrastructure improvement. The IMF has a limited influence as well. Here you have the top 10 most exported products from this Country:
We all know angolan women are very attractive, but sometimes in life you have to make choices, so here you have our Top 10 most beautiful angolan women:
10.Vaumara Rebelo (born 23 August 1991) is an Angolan beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Angola 2012 and represented her country in the 2013 Miss Universe pageant.
9. Stiviandra Oliveira (born 1989 in Huila) is an Angolan model and winner of Miss Angola 2006. Oliveira was also crowned Miss World Africa at the 2006 Miss World competition.
8. Мария Борхес / Мaria Borges (born 1992 г) - Angolan model. She was a runner-up for the Elite Model Look Angola 2010 and the winner of Ford Supermodel Angola 2011. Takes first place Forbes Africa Magazine of their 2013 Top 20 African Models List. She is currently working in New York.
7. Amilna Estevao (born 1991)- Angolan model. Winner of the Elite Model Look Angola 2013
6. Roberta Narcisco (born 1990) - Angolan model.
5. Lesliana Pereira (born 9 October 1985 Soyo, Zaire) is a beauty queen who was Angola's representative in Miss Universe 2008.
4. Michaela Pinto (born, May 13, 1992, Luanda) - Angolan model. Michaela Pinto reached the top three of the contest "Africa's Next Top Model," issued in all countries of Africa and the United States presented by the African Top Model Oluchi, winner of the first edition of Face of Africa. Also she was represented Angola at the competition "Miss Globe 2012".
3. Sharam Diniz ( March 2, 1991 Luanda, Angola) Portuguese model with Angolan decents. Winning the Supermodel of the World 2010 Portugal. Competed in 2009 and also won The Office & Look Magazine Model Search in Inglaterra. In 2012 she was elected as the Best Model of the Year in Fashion Luanda, and in 2013 she was awarded Best Female Model of the Golden Globes SIC.
2. Micaela Reis (born 1988 in Angola) is a actress, tv presenter an angolan model. Micaela of Angolan and Portuguese ancestry, was the beauty pageant titleholder who was a finalist at Miss Universe 2007 and placed first runner-up to Miss World 2007, becoming Miss World Africa. She was the highest placed Miss Angola at both Miss Universe and Miss World before the win of Leila Lopes in Miss Universe 2011.
1. Leila Lopes (born February 26, 1986 Benguela, Angola) is an Angolan beauty queen who won the titles of Miss Angola UK 2010, Miss Angola 2010 (She also obtained the Photogenic Award during the contest) and Miss Universe 2011.
Angola is located in south-central Africa and is known formally as the Republic of Angola. It is surrounded by Democratic Republic of Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and Namibia on the south. The Atlantic Ocean sits on its west coast. Once of its provinces, Cabinda, borders the Republic of Congo as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Here you have some facts that you maybe don't know about this beautiful Country:
1. Meaning of Country's name: A fabric made from the wool of the Angola goat.
2. Flag description: Two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle); red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols characterize workers and peasants.
3. Capital: Luanda
4. Largest Cities: Luanda, Huambo
5. Population: 19,088,106 (est. 2014)
6. Type of Government: Republic
7. Languages Spoken: Portuguese (official), and Bantu languages (40%)
8. Religions Practiced: Roman Catholic (40%), Protestant (15%), and indigenous beliefs (45%)
