The National Bank of Angola (BNA) unveiled a program in Luanda today aimed at expanding the network of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). This initiative seeks to improve public access to financial services, reduce geographical disparities in ATM distribution, and lessen reliance on physical bank branches.
Cristina Caniço, the director of the BNA’s Payment Systems department, noted that each ATM unit costs between 10 million and 12 million kwanzas (approximately 9,500 to 11,500 euros).
During his remarks, BNA Governor Tiago Dias mentioned that citizens’ preference for liquidity is influenced by Angola’s informal economic context, unequal distribution of ATMs, and the concentration of salary payments at the end of the month, leading to crowds at these banking terminals.
According to Tiago Dias, data from Emis, which manages the Multicaixa network, showed that last month 448 billion kwanzas (430.1 million euros) were withdrawn from ATMs.
“Bank transfers over the same period amounted to 607 billion kwanzas (582.8 million euros), with various service payments totaling 82 billion kwanzas (78.7 million euros), while payments to the State through RUPE [Unique Payment Reference to the State] reached around 40 billion kwanzas (38.4 million euros),” Tiago Dias stated.
The central bank governor highlighted that BNA data indicates that as of May 30, 2025, the amount of banknotes and coins in circulation in Angola was 871 billion kwanzas (836.3 million euros), with about 650 billion kwanzas (624.1 million euros) held by the public and 221 billion kwanzas (212.2 million euros) in commercial banks’ reserves.
“Our medium and long-term vision is for electronic transfers, payment cards, and mobile payments to be widely accepted and used by the population, similar to several other African countries,” he emphasized.
Until this is achieved, Tiago Dias added, conditions must continue to be created for access to and use of financial instruments and products, which are currently in high demand and most utilized by the Angolan population.
The BNA conducted a pilot program between 2023 and 2024 to expand the ATM network in the municipality of Viana, resulting in the installation of 69 terminals in various areas of the region.
The program, which spans ten months and sets the deadline for equipment installation by February 2026, involves the participation of seven commercial banks.
