Luanda, March 18, 2026 (Lusa) - Angola's president today consulted the Economic and Social Council regarding cryptocurrencies, an activity that, despite being prohibited in Angola, has grown in recent years, causing losses to the State, particularly concerning the power grid.
According to Wanderley Ribeiro, the council's deputy coordinator for the business sector, who spoke to the press following the meeting, the subject of cryptocurrencies dominated the issues presented by president João Lourenço.
"It is a controversial topic, and the council has been reflecting on it, looking at the challenges and opportunities surrounding this issue," said Wanderley Ribeiro, highlighting that Angola has legislation prohibiting this activity within the country.
This year, the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) has already announced the dismantling of two clandestine centres for this illicit activity, resulting in the detention of at least 14 individuals, including Angolan and Chinese nationals. In 2025, Angola’s authorities announced the dismantling of 41 sites over ten months, with at least 100 Chinese nationals detained, the primary actors in this phenomenon occurring not only in the capital, Luanda, but across other regions of the country.
Cryptocurrency mining has been banned in Angola since a law created in 2024 aimed at protecting the financial system and Angola's energy security.
During today's meeting, the Economic and Social Council also analysed ongoing work to reduce poverty in Angola, advocating for the "urgent necessity" of appointing a task force to tackle the most pressing issues, said Wanderley Ribeiro, who also chairs the Agricultural and Livestock Association of Angola.
According to Wanderley Ribeiro, a reflection on the impact of poverty followed up on the forum hosted by the Economic and Social Council in late 2025 in Benguela province.
"It was possible (...) to present the council's concerns regarding poverty and how measures for its reduction are being implemented," he said.
The meeting also addressed the education system and the challenges in rural and urban environments, considering that 2024 census data points to the worsening of certain indicators in rural areas, he added.
Beyond infrastructure construction, the council deemed it necessary to increase "human capacity to solve problems" in the countryside.
For the council, churches could play a more active role, especially in rural areas, "to strengthen teaching capacity and assist the executive in its many challenges."
Regarding the healthcare system, challenges remain concerning "the valuation of human capital," noted Wanderley Ribeiro, while acknowledging that significant investments are being made, particularly in the tertiary hospital network.
"What the council proposed was a more objective analysis and approach regarding the primary care network, which provides initial support for social needs. The executive presented figures on the increase in hospital beds and the training of healthcare professionals, some results of which should become visible in hospital units in the coming months," he added.
Angola's head of state expressed concern over the challenges of population growth, having been informed that the council is conducting "highly in-depth work on Angola's demographics."
"We heard from the chief executive some concerns regarding the capacity to manage Angola's current demographic growth, which places cross-cutting social pressure on all sectors, including food, schools, and health," he said.
NME/RYOL // AYLS
Lusa
