New framework for Industrial Development Hubs and Rural Industrial Parks in Angola

For the first time, Angola is opening up the management of Industrial Development Hubs (“IDH”) and Rural Industrial Parks (“RIP”) to private entities, bringing to an end more than two decades of exclusive public management and replacing the model in place since 1998.

The reform stems from three pieces of legislation published this year, which came into force on their respective dates of publication:

• Presidential Legislative Decree No. 2/26 of 10 February 2026, which establishes the general framework for IDHs, defined as industrial areas covering more than 1,000 hectares;
   
• Presidential Legislative Decree No. 3/26, of 11 February 2026, which establishes the general framework for RIPs, defined as municipal-level parks covering an area of between 3.5 and 10 hectares, intended for small family-run industrial units processing local agricultural products;
   
• Executive Decree No. 127/26 of 19 May 2026, which sets out the framework applicable to privately-run IDHs and RIPs.

The management of IDHs and RIPs may now be awarded by the Angolan Institute for Industrial Development and Technological Innovation (“IIDTI”) to private entities selected through a public tender, replacing the model based on publicly owned companies. IDHs already managed by such companies must open their share capital to private investors, in accordance with the Framework Law on Privatisation (Law No. 10/19 of 14 May 2019). A specific land regime is also established, with surface rights granted for a maximum term of 30 years, renewable for successive periods, unless terminated by either party or where there are grounds for termination.

Executive Decree No. 127/26 establishes, for the first time, a formal procedure for the recognition of private IDHs and RIPs by the IIDTI. The designations ‘IDH[1]’ and ‘RIP[2]’ are now reserved for formally recognised projects. The decree also provides for an intermediate category, designated “similar private project”, for infrastructures that do not meet all the requirements for recognition, subject only to registration and technical monitoring. Private IDHs are distinguished primarily by their industrial nature and territorial scale, whilst private RIPs are intended for small rural or community-based units.

The IIDTI now has permanent powers to register, supervise and inspect developments. Failure to comply with reporting obligations may result in corrective measures, suspension or withdrawal of recognition.

Existing private developments have 180 days to apply for recognition or regularisation with the IIDTI. New private developments, on the other hand, must do so prior to the start of the sale of plots or the public use of such designations. IIDTI has a maximum of 60 working days to reach a decision once the case has been fully examined. In any event, recognition does not replace legally required licences nor does it, in itself, confer tax benefits or investment incentives.

[1] “PDI” in the original Portuguese version of the statute.

[2] “PIR” in the original Portuguese version of the statute.