AmCham Angola Monthly — Public Edition — February 2026
In February AmCham Angola's members agreed the tax issues they want resolved through structured dialogue with AGT, and the Chamber opened its 2026 events calendar with the Minister of Tourism and UNDP.
February was the month in which AmCham Angola turned members' day-to-day experience into a clear agenda. Through our Sub-Tax Committee, companies from energy, services, banking and logistics, with leading advisory firms, set out the practical tax issues that most affect their operations and agreed to take them to the General Tax Administration (AGT) as one voice. We also opened our 2026 programme of monthly events with the Minister of Tourism and the United Nations Development Programme, on bringing more visitors and investment from the United States. Our work with the U.S. Embassy in Luanda and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce continued around the eight pillars of the U.S.–Angola Working Group. The aim throughout: a more predictable environment in which companies invest, grow and widen the tax base.
Tax dialogue with AGT
Members agree the priorities for structured dialogue with AGT
3 February
The Chamber's Sub-Tax Committee met, with representatives of AGT and the U.S. Embassy taking part, to confirm a shared agenda for engagement with the tax authority. Members concluded that the issues are systemic rather than isolated, and agreed six priority areas: the e-invoicing portal, including the handling of credit notes; VAT refunds under automated checks; automated audit notifications; the suspension of tax identification numbers (NIF) for minor issues; the Special Contribution on Foreign Exchange Operations and the import surcharge; and the pace of enforcement and guarantee requirements.
The new minimum customs duty on the agenda
3 February
Members also examined the 2026 Budget Law's increase in the minimum customs duty from 2% to 5%, now extended to goods previously exempt under exclusivity certificates, with limited exemptions remaining for projects approved under specific investment regimes. The Committee will present the matter to AGT with members' practical examples, so that the discussion rests on how the measure works in practice for importers and the projects that depend on them.
AGT announces corrective measures
25 February
Following a working meeting with business and professional associations led by its President, José Leiria, AGT published measures that respond to several issues on our members' agenda. Within 30 days, lifting a NIF suspension is to become automatic once irregularities are remedied; appeals will not be dismissed as late where notification was made only through the Taxpayer Portal; and improvements to VAT refunds are promised. Taxpayers resolving e-invoicing problems will not be penalised until 15 March, provided all invoices issued since 1 January are submitted electronically.
Government engagement and partnerships
Minister of Tourism and UNDP at our February event
20 February
AmCham Angola hosted the Minister of Tourism, Márcio Daniel, and the UNDP Resident Representative, Denise António, at the Epic Sana Hotel in Luanda. The discussion centred on developing tourism in Angola and attracting more visitors, especially from the United States, and the occasion marked the Chamber's partnership with UNDP. The event was the first of the Chamber's monthly First Thursday series for 2026, and it was featured on "A Hora da AmCham", our programme on Rádio LAC.
U.S.–Angola relations
Working with the U.S. Embassy, and the eight pillars
February
Our regular engagement with the economic and commercial teams of the U.S. Embassy in Luanda continued, covering critical minerals, U.S. correspondent banking and progress towards direct commercial flights between the two countries. With the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, our work stays organised around the eight pillars of the U.S.–Angola Working Group, from energy and infrastructure to the Lobito Corridor, alongside longer-term goals such as a carbon credit regime and a bilateral tax agreement. Members are also preparing for Freedom 250, the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Events
A full year of First Thursday events
February
The Chamber's 2026 First Thursday series runs monthly from February to December, bringing members together with public officials, partners and each other on the issues that shape business in Angola. An early-bird sponsorship offer is open, under which each sponsor hosts and leads one event during the year. Companies interested in hosting a date, or in taking part, are welcome to contact the Secretariat.
Why it matters for business in Angola
- Companies' tax issues now form one agenda for structured dialogue with AGT.
- AGT's 25 February measures set dates taxpayers can plan around, starting with 15 March.
- Tourism and U.S. visitor flows are on the agenda with the Minister of Tourism and UNDP.
What members get
Your tax issues, on a shared agenda
Members of AmCham Angola bring their practical tax cases to the Sub-Tax Committee, where they are tested against other companies' experience, turned into clear priorities and taken into structured dialogue with AGT. In February that process produced a six-point agenda. Membership also opens the Policy Committee's eight sector sub-groups, our monthly events and inclusion in our publications and members' directory; Board-level members receive priority invitations to meetings with Angolan and U.S. officials.
Coming up
- 15 March — AGT deadline for taxpayers resolving e-invoicing problems to be compliant without penalty
- March — March First Thursday event
- April — April First Thursday event, open to a sponsor-host
About AmCham Angola
The American Chamber of Commerce in Angola (AmCham Angola) is a non-profit membership organisation founded in July 2017. Its mission is to develop commerce between the United States and Angola, to promote the interests of U.S. companies and of its members, and to improve Angola's business environment. It receives no financial assistance from any government, is governed by an elected Board of Directors and works through its committees and forums: we advocate, connect, inform and fight for Angolan and U.S. business growth.
AmCham Angola is an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., the world's largest business organisation, founded in 1912 under President William Taft and representing more than three million companies. That affiliation links members in Angola to the U.S. Chamber's networks, including the U.S.–Angola Working Group, and places AmCham Angola among the 21 American Chambers of Commerce in Africa.
What the Chamber does: inward and outward trade missions; networking breakfasts, receptions and business luncheons with ministers, officials and industry leaders; advocacy through position papers, policy comments and structured dialogue with the Angolan Government; off-the-record CEO forums; conferences, workshops and webinars; and the weekly radio programme “A Hora da AmCham” on Rádio LAC.
Join AmCham Angola
Write to us: amchamangola@amchamangola.org · www.amchamangola.org/become-member