Luanda, July 7, 2025 (Lusa) - Angolan civil society organisations have issued a public statement highlighting the need to protect the most vulnerable groups amid the increase in the price of diesel in Angola from 300 to 400 kwanzas per litre (€0.28 to €0.37).
In the statement, issued on Saturday, the organisations Associação Upangue, OMUNGA, Friends of Angola, FORDU and ALDA said that this was “the second withdrawal of fuel subsidies in a short period” and emphasised the need to protect “the most vulnerable groups in Angolan society from the disproportionate impact of this situation”.
While recognising the government’s right to adopt economic adjustment policies, the signatories write that “such a decision, in a country with marked structural and social weaknesses, requires effective compensatory measures to keep the cost of living affordable for the majority of citizens, especially those who depend on the informal economy and public transport”.
On the other hand, they state that “the rise in fuel prices increases transport and energy costs, which could require essential sectors such as education, health and food to become more efficient.”
According to the civil society organisations that signed the public statement, this situation will accentuate social inequalities and encourage the government to accelerate the realisation of the basic rights enshrined in the Constitution of Angola.
The signatories, who work to promote and defend human rights in Angola, also write that they are in favour of Sonangol’s profitability and support achieving it through balanced practices.
“Profit, yes, with balance,” they said.
Finally, they ask the Angolan president to consider ending fuel subsidies for good and reminded him of the promises made by then-candidate João Lourenço, “such as boosting the production capacity of the Luanda refinery and finishing the Lobito refinery,” which they say “still await fulfilment.”
“Such commitments, if effectively fulfilled, could contribute decisively to reducing external dependence, stabilising prices and alleviating the pressure on the cost of living for citizens,” they concluded.
The increase in oil prices has been in effect since 4 July.
As of today, the fare for shared taxis, known as “candongueiros”, is now 300 kwanzas per trip (€0.28), and the fare for urban buses rises to 200 kwanzas per trip (€0.19), according to a statement from the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT).
Local authorities will set fare adjustments for inter-municipal passenger services, taking into account the technical and operational criteria of each route.
Since the process of removing subsidies began in 2023, the price of diesel has increased by almost 200%, from 135 kwanzas per litre (€0.13) to the current 400 kwanzas.
The Angolan government estimates that the withdrawal of fuel subsidies will save around 400 billion kwanzas per year (around €372 million), with the aim of redirecting resources to sectors such as health, education and infrastructure.
MAV/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
