AOA / ZAR

The Angolan kwanza is the official currency of Angola, issued by the Banco Nacional de Angola. It is denoted by the symbol Kz and is subdivided into 100 cêntimos, although the sub‑unit is rarely used in everyday transactions due to past periods of high inflation.

First introduced in 1999 to replace the previous kwanza after a severe devaluation, the currency takes its name from the Kwanza River, a major waterway that runs through the country. Angola’s economy is heavily dependent on oil and diamonds, and the kwanza’s value has historically been linked to fluctuations in global commodity prices. Portuguese is the official language, and the population speaks several indigenous languages such as Umbundu, Kimbundu and Kikongo.