Luanda, March 19, 2026 (Lusa) - Angola's parliament on Thursday approved the general terms of a startup bill, providing a legal basis to recognise the activity, structure incentives, and organise the technological governance ecosystem.
Presenting the proposal, which was approved unanimously with 181 votes in favour, Industry and Commerce Minister Rui Miguêns said that, in addition to a specific legal regime, there would be a startup seal for early-stage ideas and projects, as well as tax and financial incentives and funding mechanisms suited to this activity.
The legislation would also allow for the organisation, definition of oversight, certification, and supervision of obligations and transparency in the process of setting up and operating startups. "Broadly speaking, this legal framework will allow certification, promotion, tax and financial support, supervision, and the provisions of our legal code to fit an activity that is recent and new in our country," he said.
Miguêns highlighted the emergence of new economic agents in Angola, particularly innovative companies with technology-based business models, rapid scalability, and the capacity to become a hub for national growth.
He said this movement in Angola reflects global trends, "where entrepreneurs seek to keep up with and respond to the demand of domestic and international markets, developing activities increasingly focused on technology".
"This proposal aims to address the legal vacuum regarding this activity as a distinct and emerging business reality in our country, creating legal certainty for innovative companies," he added.
The bill qualifies companies with a turnover of less than the equivalent in kwanzas of $3.5 million (€2.9 million) as startups.
"If a company is qualified as a startup, it becomes eligible for tax incentives and access to public resources. We need the necessary instruments to ensure this qualification is not misused," he explained.
"We are regulating an activity that is already happening. Many young people in our country with diverse backgrounds and skills are already entrepreneurs. We have examples of successful startups, some of whose main proponents do not hold university degrees," he added.
NME/LYT // ADB.
Lusa
