Ever landed in a country and realized your cash is basically just pretty paper? If you're heading to Luanda, that’s a real risk if you don’t understand the local "Kz." The currency of Angola is the Angolan Kwanza (AOA). It's named after the Kwanza River, which is kinda poetic considering how much the value of this money has flowed and ebbed over the last few decades.
Honestly, the Kwanza has a wild history. It’s not just one currency; it’s a survivor of four different iterations since 1977. You’ve got the first Kwanza (AOK), the Novo Kwanza (AON), the Kwanza Reajustado (AOR), and finally, the one people use today, the second Kwanza (AOA).
If you're trying to figure out how to handle your finances in one of Africa's most expensive cities, you need more than just a name. You need the ground truth.
The Reality of the Angolan Kwanza Today
Right now, in early 2026, the Kwanza is sitting at a relatively stable spot compared to the hyperinflationary nightmares of the 90s. As of mid-January 2026, the exchange rate is roughly 1 AOA = 0.00109 USD. To put that in perspective, $100 USD will get you about 91,000 to 92,000 Kwanzas.
But don't just look at the Google rate.
The Banco Nacional de Angola (BNA) manages the flow, but the street rate and the bank rate can still diverge when the economy gets shaky. Inflation in Angola actually slowed down significantly toward the end of 2025, hitting around 15.7% in December. That sounds high if you're from the US or Europe, but for Angola? That’s actually a sign of massive progress.
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The currency is divided into 100 cêntimos. You won’t see many of those, though. Because of past inflation, the smaller coins are basically souvenirs at this point.
What’s in Your Wallet? Notes and Coins
If you're handling cash, you're going to see a lot of polymer. In 2020, to celebrate 45 years of independence, the central bank rolled out a new series of notes. They’re plastic-feeling, durable, and hard to fake.
Every single one of these notes features António Agostinho Neto, the first president. It was a bit of a political statement when they were released, as they removed the portrait of the second president, José Eduardo dos Santos.
The common notes you'll use:
- 200 Kwanzas: Features the Black Rocks (Pedras Negras) in Malanje. It's a light violet color.
- 500 Kwanzas: Look for the orange note. It shows the Gap of Tundavala, a massive volcanic fissure.
- 1,000 Kwanzas: A pinkish note featuring Luvili Peak.
- 2,000 Kwanzas: This is the workhorse. It’s green and depicts the Serra da Leba mountain pass.
- 5,000 Kwanzas: The big one. It's light orange and shows the ruins of Kulumbimbi Cathedral.
There is technically a 10,000 Kwanza note, but the BNA only prints it when they absolutely have to. Most of the time, your wallet will be bulging with 2,000s and 5,000s.
Coins exist too, in 10, 20, 50, and 100 Kwanza denominations. You'll mostly get these as change in supermarkets like Kero or Candando.
The "Black Market" and Exchanging Money
Here is the thing about the currency of Angola: it’s strictly regulated. You can’t just walk out of the country with a suitcase full of Kwanzas. There are strict limits on how much local currency you can take through Luanda’s Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport.
Most travelers used to rely on "kinguilas"—the street money changers, usually women in colorful clothes sitting on plastic chairs.
While the gap between the official and "parallel" market has narrowed, it hasn't totally vanished. However, for most people, it's safer and easier to use the "Casas de Câmbio" (exchange houses) like NovaCâmbios or Victoria Transfer.
Pro Tip: Never exchange money at the airport unless you absolutely need a taxi fare. The rates are almost always worse. Wait until you get into Luanda city center.
Can You Use Credit Cards?
Sorta. In Luanda, yes. In the provinces? Good luck.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at high-end hotels like the Epic Sana or the InterContinental, and at major supermarkets. For everything else, you need the Multicaixa system. This is Angola’s local debit network. Most international cards will work at Multicaixa ATMs to withdraw Kwanzas, but sometimes the machines "reject" foreign chips for no apparent reason.
Always carry a backup of clean, crisp, post-2013 US Dollar bills. If the ATMs fail, USD is the ultimate insurance policy. Just make sure the bills aren't torn or marked, or no one will take them.
Actionable Steps for Handling Kwanza
If you're planning a trip or doing business in Angola this year, here is your checklist:
- Bring "Clean" Dollars: Only bring $50 or $100 bills printed after 2013. Old "small head" bills are often rejected by local exchanges.
- Download a Real-Time Tracker: Use an app like XE or OANDA, but remember that the "mid-market" rate they show is not what you'll get at a window. Factor in a 3-5% loss.
- Notify Your Bank: Angola is often flagged for fraud. If you don't tell your bank you're there, they will kill your card the second you try to buy a prego no pão (steak sandwich).
- Spend It Before You Leave: It is notoriously difficult to exchange Kwanzas back into Dollars or Euros outside of Angola. Try to zero out your balance at the duty-free shop or exchange it back at a bank before you head to security.
- Use Multicaixa Wisely: If an ATM asks if you want to be "charged in your home currency," always say No. Let your own bank do the conversion; the ATM's internal "convenience" rate is a total rip-off.
The currency of Angola is a reflection of the country itself—complex, slightly volatile, but stabilizing. Treat it with a bit of respect, keep your cash stash hidden, and you'll navigate the Luanda markets just fine.