Working in Angola

Facts and Statistics Location: Southern Africa Capital: Luanda Population: 12,531,357 Religions: indigenous beliefs, Roman Catholic, Protestant Language: Portuguese and Bantu

Angolan Business Culture

1. Greetings are formal and courteous and include a handshake.
2. Women should avoid making direct eye contact during the greeting process.
3. Greetings often follow the African protocol of polite questions about one’s health and other social pleasantries. It is important not to rush this process.
4. When meeting someone more senior than you in age or position, it is considered polite to bow slightly.
5. If you know a person’s professional title, you may use the title when conversing.
6. Business cards are given without formal ritual.
7. Although not all Angolans have business cards, they expect expats and business travellers to have them.
8. Present your card so it is readable to the recipient.
9. Meetings are not always as private as they are in many other cultures. In fact, it may appear that there are several meetings taking place in the same room.
10. Agendas are not part of the business culture. If provided, they generally act as a starting point for discussions rather than an itemized list of what will be covered. Attempting to rigidly adhere to an agenda is not recommended, unless you are meeting with the petroleum industry.
11. Meetings have a formal ambiance. It is suggested that you not remove your suit jacket unless invited to do so, as this is seen as too casual. A strong Portuguese influence remains prevalent in Luanda and adhering to such behaviour demonstrates respect to the people with whom you are meeting.

Housing in Angola for Expatriates With the majority of our opportunities expatriates live together in a purpose built community, please see pictures below as an example.