The head of Angola’s tax authority told major taxpayers today that the Administração Geral Tributária (AGT) has introduced intelligence-based mechanisms to help identify fraud, which will be reported to authorities when detected.
José Leiria, chairman of the AGT, highlighted technological advances that have enabled the mapping of processes and the use of intelligent systems to verify operations, making it easier to detect fraudulent activity.
According to Leiria, the tax authority is committed to ensuring that no cases of fraud involving AGT employees go unpunished, and any such cases will be reported immediately.
“Whenever such issues arise, we will report them,” he said, noting that audits of the 2024 fiscal year were already carried out using artificial intelligence tools.
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He added that notifications regarding the right to prior hearing were based on system irregularities identified automatically, and that all cases showing “unusual reductions” are being reviewed by anti-fraud services and internal audit and risk management units.
“Whenever you hear about arrests within the AGT, do not think that the taxes you help collect are not being respected — it is exactly the opposite. It is a clear sign of our commitment to ensuring that public revenue is not misused,” he stressed.
Angolan courts recently convicted a group of AGT officials for crimes including embezzlement, computer fraud, undue advantage, and money laundering. The scheme involved illegal charges to companies and improper VAT refunds, causing losses to the state estimated at 13.5 billion kwanzas (around €12.5 million).
Speaking to the press, Ottoniel dos Santos, Secretary of State for Finance and Treasury, said the AGT is working with internal systems and authorities to detect and prevent any actions carried out outside the law.
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“This is one of the AGT’s core functions, and it will continue to ensure that anyone acting outside the legal framework is held accountable,” he said.
The AGT currently lists 633 large taxpayers — up from 422 — after 302 new entrants joined and 91 were removed. These major taxpayers account for 90% of Angola’s tax revenue.
Leiria described the increase as “a sign of progress and resilience among Angolan taxpayers.”
He also noted that a small number of large taxpayers have yet to implement electronic invoicing. Those who have not complied must do so by December 31, with authorities warning that the deadline will not be extended.
