Luanda, Jan. 23, 2026 (Lusa) - The Angolan parliament on Friday approved, in the first reading and vote, the draft bill on Cybersecurity, an area in which Angola ranks among the lowest in the world, highlighting gaps, according to the minister responsible for the sector.
The draft bill on Cybersecurity was approved with 105 votes in favour from the parliamentary group of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the Humanist Party of Angola (PHA) and the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), one against (UNITA) and 75 abstentions from the parliamentary group of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the Social Renewal Party (PRS).
In presenting the proposal, Angola's Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Media (MINTTICS), Mário Oliveira, said that it aims to counteract the absence or weakness of a specific legal framework or the low capacity to respond to cyber incidents.
The report underpinning the proposal stresses that, despite Angola's institutional, political and legal efforts in the field of cyber security, the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, compiled by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies, ranks the country "fourth from the bottom, with a score of 39.5 on a scale of 100".
According to Mário Oliveira, the law aims to protect society and institutions, as established by the Constitution of the Angolan Republic, enshrining in law that "cybersecurity measures must respect the principles of legality, proportionality and necessity".
"Cybersecurity protection cannot serve as a basis for illegitimate interference in private life, communications or personal data," said Mário Oliveira, adding that "the actions of the authorities are subject to legal and institutional control."
In his explanation of vote, Januário Mussambo, an MP of the UNITA parliamentary group, expressed concern about "the lack of clarity and objectivity of certain rules combined with the practice of law enforcement," generating "doubts, uncertainties and mistrust."
"It could give rise to censorship, criminalisation of different ways of thinking and political criticism, persecution of journalists, activists and ordinary citizens, which is why we voted to abstain," said the MP, stressing that the parliamentary group of the largest opposition party "recognises the need for a modern legal framework to combat cyber security crimes, protect personal data and ensure digital security".
For the UNITA parliamentary group, the draft bill presents "significant risks if it is not accompanied by strong judicial guarantees, independent oversight, and absolute respect for citizens' privacy and communications," which could turn this bill "into an instrument of abusive surveillance and digital repression."
The opposite opinion was expressed during the debates by the parliamentary group of the MPLA, the majority party, as evidenced by MP Nazário Vilhena, who considered that "in the 21st century, those who do not protect their cyberspace are in practice relinquishing part of their sovereignty".
Nazário Vilhena stressed that the draft Cybersecurity Law "is a true act of security for the democratic rule of law and the Angolan homeland" in the face of current challenges in cybersecurity, as well as placing Angola "side by side with international standards".
"With this law, Angola will no longer act in a piecemeal manner and will now have a national cybersecurity system, a national cybersecurity council and a national cybersecurity centre, with powers of coordination, supervision and, when necessary, inspection and sanctions," he said.
NME/AYLS // AYLS
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