Until recently, Angola, a country near the center of sub-Saharan Africa, was a conflict-stricken nation. Ever since its independence from Portugal in 1975, a series of civil wars between various political groups contributed to instability in chaos. Ever since the civil war ended in 2002, though, Angola has started to get back on the right track, working to strengthen the economy and reduce poverty. The World Bank Group, which Angola joined in 1989, has been instrumental in the successes against poverty that Angola has started to see.

The World Bank has been working in Angola for over a decade.

The World Bank has been active in Angola ever since it joined in 1989 – indeed, the first loan to Angola to the World Bank was made in 1991 – just two years after its membership. After that, World Bank assistance lessened considerably due to a violent Angolan civil war in the 1990s (which, ironically, started in 1991, the year when the World Bank first provided assistance). However, a peace treaty was reached in 2002, and since then, World Bank assistance through the International Development Association has increased considerably.

Currently, there are five active World Bank projects in Angola, with a value of $125 million, which focus on improving health and sanitation, helping combatants in Angola’s civil wars reintegrate with society, and rebuilding government services and infrastructure. Angola has also prepared an Interim Strategy Note document (in February 2005) that sets out poverty reduction goals for the future.

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CIA World Factbook: Angola. 2006.

World Bank: Angola. 2006.

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