Honeymoon period over for Angola under new President Lourenço

Investors are increasingly worried about the state of the Angolan economy, according to a new report. EXX Africa has published a special report on the investment risk outlook on Angola and says that, although since gaining power one year ago Angolan President João Lourenço has enjoyed the benefits of renewed market optimism and fresh investor interest, there are now growing indications that the new government’s ‘honeymoon’ period is over. EXX warns that investors are becoming concerned by entrenched state corruption and the persistently weak state of the economy. The report states: “President Lourenço has launched a high-profile crackdown on corruption and sought to end industry monopolies. However, so far the only graft cases pursued by his administration have been politically motivated, thus allowing the new president to remove critics and to stake out his new political territory. “In fact, President Lourenço’s touted anti-corruption stance is more indicative of concerted attempts to dismantle his predecessor’s influences and consolidate total power over Angola’s political institutions, than any meaningful attempts at reform.” It warns that this is particularly evident in the oil sector, where his government has been reluctant to pursue much-needed reforms. Entrenched patronage and rent-seeking structures have been put in place at state oil company Sonangol, facilitating embezzlement at the highest level of the administration. EXX also warns that the President has also appointed prominent individuals tainted by corruption and mismanagement allegations into important government positions. Charges against former vice-president Manuel Vicente, who now holds sway over Angola’s central bank, and Sonangol could be reinstated as soon as a new government takes power in Portugal or political sentiment in the US swerves into a different direction. Meanwhile, recent contract cancellations of major infrastructure projects, officially touted as part of a transparency drive, are more likely motivated by a desire to seek fresh rents from foreign investors participating in those projects. ‘White elephant’ projects, like the new Angola airport, are undermining President Lourenço’s image of being reform-minded and transparent. While the economic outlook is tentatively brighter than a year ago, the new government is seeking billions more in financing from Chinese banks to fund infrastructure expansion and keep distressed state finances afloat. “Just when concerns over Angola’s debt sustainability were calming, the government is committing to another massive Chinese debt pile-up,” warns the report. “This bodes ominously for the repayment of arrears to foreign contractors and even Angola’s ability to service its latest eurobonds. Rising food prices, frequent strike action and public sector cuts are triggering protests and increasing the risk of riots in Angola’s cities.” EXX concludes: “If [President] Lourenço’s government does not soon fully commit to broad oil sector reform and prudent fiscal management, as well as actively embrace transparency initiatives, the investment outlook for Angola is set to deteriorate sharply as investors lose faith in Mr Lourenço’s stewardship of the economy.”

Honeymoon period over for Angola under new President Lourenço

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