Currency:
Kwanza (Kz.) - Also used AKZ or (official) AOA
Notes are in denominations of Kz. 2.000 (since 16th of February 2005), 1000, 500, 200 (since 19th of July 2004) and 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Also look in "Information about Angola" -> "Overviews" -> "Currency". There you can see some pictures of the angolan money.
Soon the National Bank will introduce also denominations of Kz. 5.000 and 10.000.
Coins are in denominations of Kz 5, 2 and 1. Smaller coins like 50, 20 and 10 centimos you find hardly.
USD are the inofficial second currency in Angola and are widely accepted. In the most of the places you can pay with them, instead in local currency.
Euros or other currencies are not accepted as the Dollar. You should not bring them. You can't pay with Euro in supermarkets or in restaurants, but at least you can exchange them in the most of the banks.
Currency exchange:
Currency can be exchanged at any bank or at the street (Where you can often see the money-changer, which make the typical movement with their fingers.) Besides you can also find "Casa de Câmbios" - Exchange houses. The difference between their rates is not so big.
Frequently you can pay in supermarkets or restaurants in USD and you can get your change back in Kwanza. Their you get normally the highest rates.
Credit cards:
Credit cards are generally not accepted. American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa enjoy limited acceptance, especially in all big hotels. Please check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travelers checks:
Angolan banks charge very high commission fees for the cashing of travelers checks.
Western Union:
Receive money with Western Union is possible in some few banks, like NovoBanco, BCP or BCI.
To send money out of Angola is not possible without bank account, but here you can use normal business banks.
Exchange rate indicators
In the past the inflation was quite high. Because of that the exchange rate was going up very fast. 2004 the inflation stabilised by around 30 per cent. Actual rates you can find on our start page.
2004 (Abril): 1 USD = 80 Kwanza
2004 (Dezember): 1 USD = 85 Kwanza
2005 (May): 1 USD = 89 Kwanza
2004 (Abril): 1 Euro = 100 Kwanza
2004 (Dezember): 1 Euro = 114 Kwanza
Currency restrictions:
All imported currency should be declared on arrival. The import of local currency is limited to Kz 15,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration on arrival. The export of local currency is prohibited. The export of foreign currency is limited to USD 5.000. Those traveling on return tickets purchased in Angola may export up to the equivalent of USD 5.000 per year.
The airport staff will ask you at least 3 times, if you have still Kwanza. If yes, they will confiscate all Kwanzas.
Banking hours:
08:00-15:00 Monday to Friday.
