Angola's Safety: Is It Dangerous?

Angola is a country located in southwestern Africa, sharing its borders with Namibia, Zambia, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. While Angola is rich in natural resources, it is also a country ridden with crime and violent conflict. Travellers to Angola are advised to exercise a high degree of caution due to the high levels of crime, the presence of landmines, and the risk of militant attacks.

Violent crime

Angola has a high level of violent crime, including armed robbery, assault, carjacking, and homicide. Muggers can be armed, and some attacks have been fatal. Criminals in Angola often target foreigners and areas popular with tourists.

Luanda, the capital city, is one of the top areas for crime in Angola. Street crime is a large threat, and petty offences like pickpocketing and theft from vehicles and homes are frequent. These incidents can turn violent when perpetrated by armed criminals who attack their victims while riding scooters. There are particular places to avoid in Luanda, such as the Roque Santeiro market and Rocha Pinto, and, in general, the streets of Luanda should be avoided after dark.

The northern province of Cabinda has seen rapes, robberies, and murders involving tourists, including the January 2010 triple murder of members of the Togolese football team.

The local police in Angola lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents, and it has been noted that they may not always respond to crimes in a timely manner or follow up on reports. Travellers will have more luck by contacting the Rapid Intervention Police (PIR) unit, which is trained to respond to more serious incidents.

To reduce the risk of being a victim of violent crime in Angola, it is recommended that you do not walk around Luanda, especially not alone or after dark, do not wear expensive-looking jewellery or watches, or use mobile phones in public places, and avoid crowded places like markets and large gatherings.

Poor health infrastructure

Angola's health infrastructure is inadequate to meet the needs of its population. The country's healthcare system has been struggling since the end of the 27-year-long civil war in 2002, which decimated infrastructure and public services. The system has not adapted to the growth of the population, the evolution of medicine and public health, the pace of technology and innovation, or research and development.

Angola's healthcare sector is comprised of public and private service providers. Public hospitals serve almost 60% of the population and are free of charge, but the quality of care is not perceived as good. Private clinics, on the other hand, are expensive. As a result, middle- to upper-income families travel abroad for complex medical interventions, as they can afford to do so. Treatment at public institutions is inconsistent in quality and is often accompanied by poor customer service.

The country's healthcare system also faces a shortage of medical professionals and skilled practitioners. There are very few physicians, and they are limited in their capacity to reach the population. The insufficient number of trained nurses and technical staff often do not work in their fields of expertise. Medical societies have limited financial resources to assist in capacity building for their members.

The few good hospitals and clinics are located in Luanda, the capital city. Other provinces and cities outside of Luanda lack modern facilities, and in rural areas, citizens must travel significant distances to receive basic healthcare. Many healthcare facilities are decaying and lack basic sanitary conditions, including water and electricity. They often run using alternative power and water sources like generators and water tanks and lack proper treatment plants for wastewater.

Angola's healthcare system is highly centralised in the Ministry of Health (MOH), which creates barriers to opening the market and makes it difficult for private companies to pursue business opportunities in the country. The system is also underfunded, despite the fact that healthcare is supposed to be universal and free.

Scams and fraud

Angola has a high level of crime, some of it violent, and scams and fraud are common. Criminals target areas popular with foreigners, so you should be particularly careful when withdrawing money from banks and ATMs, as you could be followed and robbed.

Common Scams and Fraud in Angola

• Advanced fees/prepayment scams: You are asked to send money to pay a fee upfront for a product or service that doesn't exist.
• Mystery shopping scams: You are contacted for an employment opportunity to send money using a money transfer service and evaluate the service.
• Overpayment scams: You receive a cheque for an amount higher than the agreed-upon price and are asked to send back the excess funds using a money transfer. The cheque is fake, and you will be liable to pay the money back to the bank.
• Employment scams: You are asked to send money for a job opportunity that doesn't exist.
• Lottery/prize scams: You are notified that you have won a lottery/sweepstakes and need to send money to claim the prize.
• Rental property scams: You are interested in a rental property and asked to send money for legitimate-sounding reasons, but the property is not real.
• Emergency/grandparent scams: You are asked to send money to a friend or family member for an emergency situation that isn't real.
• Internet purchase scams: You are asked to send money to pay for a product, auction item, or service advertised online that doesn't exist.
• Romance scams: You meet someone online, develop a relationship with them, and are then asked to send them money.
• Fake cheque scams: You receive a cheque and are asked to send a portion of the money back for what seems to be a legitimate reason, but the cheque is fake.

How to Protect Yourself

• Avoid withdrawing money or walking around in Luanda, especially alone or after dark.
• Do not wear expensive jewellery or watches or use your mobile phone in public places.
• Avoid crowded places like markets and large gatherings.
• Put your valuables and cash in a hotel safe.
• Do not walk between bars and restaurants on the Ilha do Cabo.
• Do not walk on the "Serpentine Road" in front of the U.S. Embassy.
• Do not pull over on roadways, especially in rural areas.
• When driving, keep doors locked and windows closed. Do not respond if anyone signals you to pull over.
• Do not carry original documents unless necessary. Always carry a certified copy of your passport.
• Do not take photographs near government buildings.
• Do not buy or traffic goods made of ivory.
• If you are attacked, hand over your money and valuables immediately. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.

Natural disasters

Angola has been ravaged by a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002. The country is now one of the fastest-growing in Africa, mainly due to its oil industry. However, its people continue to face challenges due to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and epidemics.

Floods

Floods are the most frequently reported natural disaster in Angola. They are seasonal and originate from the Zambezi River, which flows through the Angolan Central Plateau and neighboring countries like Zambia, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Floods lead to landslides, deep ravines, and soil erosion, affecting over 18 provinces annually. In 2008, floods heavily impacted the southern and southwestern provinces, including Cunene, Cuando Cubango, Huila, Namibe, and Benguela. More recently, in 2024, heavy rains caused flooding in the southern provinces of Benguela and Namibe, leading to the displacement of thousands of people and the destruction of homes and supply routes.

Droughts

Droughts are another devastating natural disaster in Angola, particularly in the southern and southwestern parts of the country. Reduced rainfall, combined with soil erosion, ravines, and landslides, affects rural communities with limited access to resources. The drought season typically lasts from May until mid-September, destroying agricultural land and livestock and exacerbating food insecurity. The drought in the southern interior province of Cunene in 2024 is an example of the ongoing challenges Angola faces due to water scarcity.

Epidemics

Angola is highly prone to epidemics, with cholera and viral hemorrhagic fever being the most frequent. In 2006, over 67,256 cholera cases were recorded, resulting in 2,722 deaths. Viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks have also taken a heavy toll, such as the 2005 outbreak in the Uige province that affected 252 people and left 227 dead.

Poor road safety

Angola has a high level of crime, with violent crimes such as muggings, robberies, and carjackings being common. This is particularly true in Luanda, the capital city, which is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Street crime is a large threat, with pickpocketing and theft from vehicles and homes being frequent. These incidents can turn violent when perpetrated by armed criminals, who sometimes ride scooters.

• Avoid walking alone at night, especially in Luanda.
• Do not wear expensive jewellery or watches, or use mobile phones in public places.
• Stick to main roads and avoid driving off the beaten track.
• Be suspicious of slow-moving cars or those that try to coerce you into pulling over, as these are often pretexts for robbery or hijacking.
• Always use pre-booked taxis and check the driver's identity before getting in.
• When driving, keep doors locked and windows closed.
• Do not respond if anyone signals you to pull over.
• If you are attacked, hand over your money and valuables immediately.
• Use off-road vehicles for longer journeys, and ensure you have spare tyres and replacement parts.
• Keep to well-established routes and take up-to-date advice from the United Nations or an international non-governmental organisation when travelling in areas that may have landmines.

Frequently asked questions