Angolan Kwanza

Overview

The Angolan Kwanza (AOA) is the currency currently used in Angola. The Kwanza was introduced in 1999, replacing the "Kwanza Reajustado" (AOK).  AOA is subdivided into coin denominations of 100 centimos, and is denoted by the symbol Kz.

Economy

• Angola is rated as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
• The Angolan GDP in 2010 had an average growth of 11.1%.
• The country’s main resources are gas, oil, agriculture, and diamonds.
• There is mismanagement and corruption in the oil industry, which prevents the economy from growing at a faster rate.
• Angola imports vehicles, food, medicine, electrical equipment, machinery, and military goods.
• Export goods are mainly petroleum, crude oil, fish, coffee, diamonds, cotton, and timber.
• The current inflation rate is 13.1%.
• A third of Angola’s population is reliant on agriculture. Although the country is showing substantial growth, it still has a great deal of poverty, due to the civil war that waged from the 1975 to 2002.

History

• From 1977 to 1990, the Kwanza (AOK) was in circulation at a rate of 1 Kwanza = 1 Escudo.
• In 1990, the Novo Kwanza (AON) was introduced at a rate of 1 Novo Kwanza = 1 Kwanza.
• From 1995 to 1999, the Kwanza Rejustado (AOR) was in circulation. 1 Kwanza Reajustado = 1,000 Novo Kwanzas.
• Since 1999, the new Kwanza (AOA) has been in circulation. 1 Kwanza = 1,000,000 Kwanza Reajustado. The 50 and 10 centimo denominations are no longer in circulation.