Since the latest changes in the domestic law, foreign entrepreneurs can register a company in Angola and open an account with an Angolan bank on more favorable conditions.
Setting up a company in Angola can be a good decision for entrepreneurs interested in developing their business at international level in a well-developed country. Angolan government has a positive attitude regarding foreign investors, so registering a non-resident company in Angola is welcomed.
Entity types
Register an LLC
Set up a PLC
Set up a public limited company
Open a representative office
Set up a branch
Open a subsidiary or an IBC
(International Business Corporation)
Create a joint venture
Joint ventures, partnerships or consortiums
Open a company
To register an LLC (limited liability company) in Angola you will need a share capital of 1.000 USD. In order to open an Angolan company remotely, you will need to fulfill the following conditions:
The Company Single Window (Guiché Único da Empresa) is a public service supervised by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights that aims to speed up the processes of incorporation, alteration, extinction and similar acts, of commercial companies, individual traders and cooperatives.
Company Single Window allows, in person and online, the opening of companies, the constitution of commercial, one-person and multi-person companies by quotas and anonymous. Reforms following the implementation of Law No. 11/15, of June 17 2015, Presidential Decree No. 153/16, of August 5 2016, with the changes introduced by Presidential Decree No. 60/20, of March 3 2020, and the Executive Decree of the Minister of Justice and Human Rights No. 168/20, of June 1 2020 allow:
- Online incorporation of all types of commercial companies
- Availability in real time of the name chosen for the company
- Online availability in real time of publications formerly made in Diário da República.
Private investment registration
The company through which the private investment project is implemented must be previously established, and for the purpose of requesting the registration of private investment in the investment regimes provided for in the Private Investment Law (Law N.º 10/18 of June 26 – of Private Investment – amended and republished by Law N.º 10/21, of 22 April), the following steps must be taken:
1. Access AIPEX platform through the portal http://jui.aipex.gov.ao, register on the platform and validate the email, to create the JUI account.
2. Access AIPEX JUI account to register the project, and, for this purpose, in the “Documents” tab add the following documentation:
a) Copies of the identification documents of the proponents (identity card or passport), in the case of individual persons.
b) Copy of the Commercial Registration Certificate, in the case of a company.
c) Document proving the existence of funds or other forms of realisation of the declared private investment project.
d) Training program and gradual replacement of the foreign labour force by the national force, in accordance with the provisions on N.º 3, article 45.º of the Private Investment Law.
e) Implementation schedule of the investment project.
f) Power of attorney, if the proponent is represented.
g) Economic-financial feasibility study or business plan (only for the contractual regime).
h) Proposal of the Investment Contract (only for the contractual regime).
Notes:
- The documents referred to in paragraphs a), b), c) and f), when issued outside Angola, must be recognised or authenticated by the Consular Service of the Republic of Angola in the country of origin.
- The documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by the respective official translation, recognised or authenticated by the Consular Service of the Republic of Angola in the country of origin.
Applicable Tax rates
If you are interested in setting up a company in Angola without opening an Angolan bank account, you must consider the tax regime:
- The corporate tax rate in Angola is 25%;
- Dividends paid by registered companies in Angola are taxed at a rate of 10%;
- A tax exemption may apply if dividends are paid to a shareholder owning at least 25% of the company;
- Capital gains tax for registered LLCs is 15%.
Other information – Advertising and trade promotion
Angola is a Portuguese-speaking country. The Government requires labeling in Portuguese for imported goods, especially in the healthcare sector for medicines, cosmetics, hair care products, skin care and processed food.
Press coverage can be a useful strategy for building market visibility in Angola. Billboard advertising is also common for consumer-oriented products, as is sponsoring popular events. Social media is widely used and a cost-effective means to advertise.
In the media, there are three television stations, several radio stations, one daily newspaper (“Jornal de Angola”) and several press weeklies. All these media channels represent advertising opportunities.
In the case of technical and professional areas, there are opportunities in conferences, symposiums by industry, and a limited number of trade shows to promote and do technical presentations that can help build market visibility and develop relationships with key buyers.
The main trade show in Angola, FILDA – Feira Internacional de Luanda (International Fair of Luanda), is normally held in July. This multi-industry show is a good platform to build market visibility, especially once an international company is established in the Angolan market. The FILDA show organizer usually hosts other smaller trade events in a range of sectors throughout the year. Angola’s trade show schedule can be found on FILDA’s website.