The Best Angolan Products To Buy

Angola is a country with a lot to offer, from nature and gastronomy to adventure and local culture. Luanda, the capital, is a vibrant, multicultural city and also the most expensive in the world. There are many things to buy in Angola, especially in Luanda, where you can find local handicrafts, authentic goods, and souvenirs. The Benfica Handcrafts Market, located just south of Luanda, is a top-rated local art and craft market. Around 700 merchants display approximately 10,000 pieces daily, including paintings, accessories, textiles, and sculptures. Another famous handicraft shopping district in Luanda is Futungo, the largest craft market in Angola, where artisans from across the country exhibit their work. For those looking for a more contemporary shopping experience, Avennida Shopping Mall caters mainly to tourists and travelers with luxury designer boutiques, jewelry stores, and cosmetics shops.

Local handicrafts and souvenirs

Benfica Craft Market, Luanda

The Benfica Crafts Market has been a go-to place for anyone interested in Angolan arts and crafts since the 1990s. You can find a variety of items at reasonable prices, including paintings, accessories, textiles, sculptures, and other handcrafted goods. It is a great place to buy monuments and traditional outfits like the Mwana Pwo, which symbolizes the ideal feminine. Around 700 merchants display approximately 10,000 pieces daily, making it a vibrant and diverse market.

Futungo Craft Market, Luanda

The Futungo Market is the largest craft market in Angola and a fantastic tourist attraction. It operates once a week, on Sundays, and attracts artisans from all across the country. Here, you can find a wide range of original wood crafts, ritual objects, clay goods, hand-painted masks, and handcrafted jewellery.

Belas Shopping Mall, Talatona, Luanda

While Belas Mall caters to a range of shopping needs, it is also a great place to find souvenirs. You can explore affordable shops and boutiques offering beach accessories and costumes, casual clothing, and shoes from well-known brands.

Avennida Shopping Mall, Luanda

The Avennida mall caters mainly to tourists and travellers. Fashion enthusiasts will appreciate the luxury designer boutiques and jewellery stores, while those looking for cosmetics and perfumes will find a wide range of options. The mall also includes a variety of low-cost accessories and jewellery shops.

Local Art and Sculpture

Artisans in Angola use a variety of materials for their art and sculptures, including wood, bronze, ceramic, and malachite. Carved animals are of particular interest and make for unique souvenirs.

Fabrics and Clothing

When it comes to fabrics and clothing, you can explore options like batik cloths and African print fabrics. You can also find clothing items like t-shirts, sweaters, and dresses featuring Angolan themes and designs.

Other Souvenir Options

For those interested in collecting stickers, keychains, mugs, or other memorabilia, Angola offers a range of souvenir items showcasing the country's flag, map, and cultural symbols. These can be found in markets and online stores.

Remember to have all your purchases stamped at a local customs shop before leaving the country to avoid any issues at the airport.

Local food and produce

Angola's local food and produce are varied and vibrant, reflecting the country's diverse and fertile ecology. Here is a guide to the local food and produce of Angola:

Agricultural Products

Angola has a vast array of agricultural products, with its natural resources lending themselves to a variety of crops and livestock. The country's agricultural sector accounts for a significant portion of its GDP, and it provides employment for a large percentage of the population. Angola's main agricultural crops include cassava, corn, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, soy, bananas, coffee, rice, vegetables, and fruits. The country also has the potential to cultivate a much larger area, with an estimated 35 million hectares of arable land, of which only about 15% is currently cultivated.

Local Produce

In addition to its agricultural exports, Angola boasts a wide range of local produce that can be found in its markets and restaurants. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, such as citrus and pineapples, as well as meat and poultry. The country's diverse landscape, ranging from highlands to valleys, contributes to the variety of local produce available.

Traditional Dishes

Angolan cuisine is influenced by its historical and cultural connections, resulting in a unique blend of flavours and culinary traditions. One of the most popular dishes in Angola is "Muamba de Galinha," a chicken stew made with palm oil, garlic, and spices. Other traditional dishes include "Calulu," a slow-cooked stew made with dried fish, vegetables, and cassava leaves, and "Funge," a type of porridge made from cassava flour and water, often served with grilled meat or sausage.

Local Markets and Shopping

When it comes to shopping for local food and produce in Angola, there are several options available. Traditional open-air markets, known as "Cantinas," offer a wide variety of fresh produce and local specialities. The Benfica Handcrafts Market, located just south of Luanda, is a great place to find local arts, crafts, and unique food items. For those seeking a more modern shopping experience, Angola also has several shopping malls, such as Belas Shopping Mall and Ginga Shopping, which offer a range of local and international products, including food items.

Restaurants and Bakeries

Angola also boasts a diverse restaurant scene, with options ranging from traditional buffets like Gula Gula to bakeries such as Vanan Padaria e Pastelaria, which offers a variety of sweet treats and desserts. Fine dining options are also available, particularly in expat-friendly areas like Talatona, where restaurants serve a mix of local and international cuisine.

Luxury items and designer boutiques

Angola's luxury market is secretive, with retailers keeping a low profile to provide a discreet shopping environment for consumers and avoid flaunting the elite nature of their business. Multi-brand luxury fashion stores in Angola often operate by appointment only, and do not display signposts or engage with the media.

Luxury watches and jewellery can be found at the Angolan branches of Portuguese chains, which sell brands like Audemars Piguet, Breguet, Breitling, Bulgari, Cartier, Hublot, Piaget, and Vacheron Constantin. Hugo Boss was one of the first international luxury brands to open a mono-brand outlet in Luanda, located in the Avenida Shopping Centre in the Morro Bento neighbourhood. The brand is operated by a local partner called Fidalga Lda, which also has a chain of 11 stores across Luanda and Benguela selling international perfumes and beauty products from brands like Yves Saint Laurent and Lancome.

Other mono-brand outlets in Luanda include Lacoste, located in the same mall as Hugo Boss, and stores from international brands like Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Valentino. These can be found in upmarket shopping malls, such as Sky Gallery in the Kinaxixi district, which has 40 upmarket stores catering to locals, expats, and tourists.

Despite the emergence of luxury shopping malls and boutiques in Angola, some Angolans still travel abroad to buy designer goods, as luxury labels often cost twice as much in Luanda as they do in Lisbon.

Markets and shopping centres

One of the most famous markets in Angola is the Tunga N'go market in Luanda. This market offers a glimpse into the local culture and way of life, with vendors selling everything from traditional foods like funge (manioc pudding) to herbal medicines and talismans. For those seeking a more organised shopping experience, Luanda is also home to several shopping malls, including the Benfica Handcrafts Market, where vendors sell jewellery, fabrics, paintings, and baskets. This market is particularly popular among tourists, with about 120,000 shoppers visiting each year.

Another notable shopping destination in Luanda is the Belas Shopping Mall, located in the Talatona suburb. This mall is known for its variety of shops, offering everything from home goods and clothing to food and electronics. It also features a large food court with options like KFC and Gula Gula. The Ginga Shopping mall in Viana is another option, offering essential services such as a supermarket, restaurants, and laundry services, all under one roof.

Outside of Luanda, there are also several shopping centres and markets worth visiting. The Roque Santeiro, located amidst Luanda's slums, is claimed to be Africa's largest open-air market. Here, you can find just about anything, from fresh produce to electronics and clothing, at bargain prices. However, it is important to exercise caution and discretion when visiting this market, as some areas may be unsafe for photography and recording.

Electronics and gifts

Angola is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. The capital and most populous city is Luanda. The official language is Portuguese, but a variety of Bantu languages are spoken by the nearly 100 ethnic tribes that call Angola home.

Angola has a variety of shopping centres and stores, including the Belas Shopping Mall, the first shopping centre in Angola, which offers a range of shops, a large food court, and other essential services.

For those looking for electronics and gifts, downtown Luanda is the place to go. Here, you can find electronics, gifts and souvenirs, home goods, and soccer team gear.

For a more local experience, the Benfica Handcrafts Market, located just south of Luanda city, is a great option. This market offers jewellery, fabrics, paintings, baskets, and other colourful items. It is recommended to hire a local guide and driver to ensure safety and the best deals.

For expats living in Luanda, there are also nice grocery stores such as Candando, Kero, Casa dos Frescos, and Shoprite. However, be prepared for high prices, especially for goods shipped in from South Africa or Brazil.

If you are looking for home goods and furniture, Kinda Home, located outside the city, is similar to IKEA and worth a visit. There is also a new store that opened inside the city in the neighbourhood of Nova Vida.

Frequently asked questions