This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Query
Could you please provide an overview of corruption and anti-corruption in Angola?
Purpose
Our country has commercial interests in Angola and new investments are being planned. Most of the information available on corruption appears to be anecdotal and scattered, and maybe outdated.
Content
1. Overview of corruption in Angola
2. Anti-corruption efforts in Angola
3. References
Summary
Emerging from nearly three decades of conflict and instability, Angola continues to face major challenges of weak governance and widespread corruption at all levels of society. Corruption manifests itself through various forms, including bureaucratic, political and grand corruption, embezzlement of public resources, systematic looting of state assets, and a deeply entrenched patronage system that operates outside state channels. The scale of corruption and mismanagement has been considerable in the extractive industries.
The government has introduced important reforms in recent years, especially with regard to revenue and budget transparency. It also called for a crackdown on corruption in 2009. But Angola’s overall legal and institutional anti-corruption framework remains highly inadequate. Anti-corruption institutions are underdeveloped, often lacking human and financial resources, as well as technical expertise and capacity. They are subject to widespread political interference, casting serious doubt on the political will for reform. Although civil and political rights are guaranteed by the Angolan constitution, civil society and the media face many challenges of a political, financial and logistical nature that restrict the free exercise of their constitutional rights.
Authors
Marie Chêne, Transparency International, [email protected]
Reviewers
Robin Hodess, Ph.D., Transparency International, [email protected]
Date
25/02/2011
