Government of the Republic of Angola
Within the broader context of Angola's administrative and governmental structure, the Government of the Republic of Angola is the supreme organ of public administration and holds the highest executive power in the nation. Following the approval of the 2010 Constitution, which abolished the role of Prime Minister, the President of the Republic (currently João Lourenço) serves simultaneously as the head of state and the head of government. To conduct the country's general policies, the President is assisted by the Vice-President, Ministers of State, auxiliary organs, and the Council of Ministers.
The 24 Ministries (Ministérios)
The core operations of Angola's executive branch are delegated to 24 distinct ministries, each responsible for managing specific sectors of society, the economy, and public services. Ministerial roles do not stem from direct public elections; rather, they are appointed by the President, though the overarching government requires majority support from the National Assembly.
These 24 ministries encompass all critical areas of national management, including:
- Sovereignty, Law, and Security: Ministério da Defesa Nacional e Veteranos da Pátria, Ministério do Interior, Ministério das Relações Exteriores, and Ministério da Justiça e dos Direitos Humanos.
- Economy, Resources, and Infrastructure: Ministério das Finanças, Ministério do Planeamento, Ministério dos Recursos Minerais, Petróleo e Gás, Ministério da Indústria e Comércio, and Ministério da Energia e Águas.
- Social and Human Development: Ministério da Saúde, Ministério da Educação, Ministério do Ensino Superior, Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação, and Ministério da Acção Social, Família e Promoção da Mulher.
Ministries
- Ministry of National Defense and Veterans of the Homeland
- Ministry of the Interior
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Finance
- Ministry of Planning
- Ministry of Territorial Administration
- Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
- Ministry of Public Administration, Labor and Social Security
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
- Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources
- Ministry of Industry and Commerce
- Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas
- Ministry of Public Works, Urban Planning and Housing
- Ministry of Energy and Water
- Ministry of Transport
- Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication
- Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Culture
- Ministry of the Environment
- Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women's Promotion
- Ministry of Youth and Sports
- Ministry of Tourism
Auxiliary organs of the Presidency
In addition to these 24 traditional ministries, the executive structure includes six auxiliary organs of the Presidency that hold the official status of ministries. These include the Casa Civil (Civil House), the Casa Militar (Military House), and the State Cabinets for Economic Coordination and the Social Area, which are led by Ministers of State.
Angola's new Provincial Structure with Municipalities
On August 14, 2024, the Angolan National Assembly approved a new political-administrative division law
Administrative Expansion and Territorial Governance
The work of these ministries directly impacts Angola's ongoing administrative restructuring. On January 1, 2025, Angola officially expanded its political-administrative division from 18 to 21 provinces (creating Icole Bengo, Cuando, and Moxico Leste) and increased its municipalities to 326. This massive shift aims to decentralize power, promote balanced regional development, and improve the delivery of public services—such as health and infrastructure—by bringing the government closer to local communities.
Angola is now organized into the following 21 provinces:
Bengo has its capital in Caxito and covers an area of 31,371 km², divided into 6 municipalities. The main languages spoken are Kimbundu and Kikongo, and the predominant ethnic groups are the Ambundu and Bakongo. The province was founded on 26 April 1980.
Benguela is centered on the city of Benguela and spans 39,827 km² across 10 municipalities. Its inhabitants speak Umbundu and Ohvanyaneka, belonging to the Ovimbundu and Ohvanyaneka ethnic groups. It was founded on 17 May 1617.
Bié has Cuíto as its capital and stretches over 70,314 km² with 9 municipalities. The languages are Umbundu and Cokwe, and the population is composed of the Ovimbundo and Tucokwe peoples. It was established on 1 May 1922.
Cabinda, with its capital of the same name, is a smaller province covering 7,283 km² across 4 municipalities. Its languages are Fiote and Kikongo, and the population belongs to the Bakongo ethnic group. It was founded on 28 February 1868.
Cuando has its capital in Menongue and is one of the largest provinces, covering 199,049 km² with 9 municipalities. The language spoken is Nganguela, and the population belongs to the Ovanganguela group. It was founded on 21 October 1961.
Cuanza-Norte is centered on Ndalatando and spans 24,110 km² across 10 municipalities. Kimbundu is the main language and the Ambundu the predominant ethnic group. It was founded on 15 August 1914.
Cuanza-Sul has Sumbe as its capital and covers 55,660 km² with 12 municipalities. Languages spoken are Kimbundu and Ubundu, with the Ambundu and Ovimbundu peoples making up the population. It was founded on 15 September 1917.
Cubango is one of the newer provinces, with 12 municipalities. It currently has no appointed governor.
Cunene has its capital in Ondjiva and covers 78,342 km² across 6 municipalities. Oshiwambo is the main language and the Ovambu the predominant ethnic group. It was founded on 10 July 1970.
Huambo, with its capital of the same name, covers 2,609 km² and includes 11 municipalities. The language is Umbundu and the people belong to the Ovimbundu group. It was founded on 8 August 1912.
Huíla has Lubango as its capital and spans 79,022 km² across 14 municipalities. Languages spoken are Olunhaneka and Umbundu, and the predominant ethnic group is the Ovambu. The province was founded on 2 September 1901.
Icolo e Bengo is one of the recently established provinces.
Luanda, the country's capital region, has Luanda as its administrative centre and covers 18,826 km² across 9 municipalities. Kimbundu is the main language and the Ambundu the dominant ethnic group. It was founded on 25 January 1576.
Malanje, with its capital of the same name, covers 2,422 km² and includes 14 municipalities. The language is Kimbundu and the people are Ambundu. It was founded on 13 February 1868.
Moxico has Luena as its capital and is one of the country's largest provinces, covering 223,023 km² across 9 municipalities. Languages spoken are Cokwe and Nganguela, with the Ovanga as the predominant ethnic group. It was founded on 15 September 1917.
Moxico Leste is one of the most recently created provinces.
Namibe has Moçâmedes as its capital and covers 8,916 km² across 5 municipalities. The main language is Oluherero and the population includes the Oluyaneka minority. It was founded on 10 July 1645.
Uíge, with its capital of the same name, spans 58,698 km² across 16 municipalities. The languages are Kikongo and Kimbundu, with the Bakongo and Ambundu being the main ethnic groups. It was founded on 31 May 1887.
Zaire has Mbanza Congo as its capital and covers 40,130 km² across 6 municipalities. Kikongo is the main language and the Bakongo the predominant ethnic group. It was founded on 1 April 1961.