Angola has formally moved to sell its national carrier TAAG Angola Airlines, listing the 86-year-old flag carrier among ten priority state assets earmarked for privatisation in 2026, a landmark step in President João Lourenço’s push to reduce public sector debt and attract foreign investment into Africa’s fourth-largest economy.
The Presidential Decree That Changes Everything
A decree signed by President João Lourenço on February 19, 2026 Presidential Decree No. 36/26, formally updated Angola’s privatisation programme for 2023–2026, listing TAAG alongside ten other state-owned companies whose privatisation is to commence this year. Secretary of State for Finance Ottoniel dos Santos confirmed TAAG remains a top priority within the PROPRIV programme, which concludes in 2026.
The sale will proceed through a Limited Tender by Prior Qualification a structured competitive process that pre-screens potential buyers before formal bids are accepted.
Why TAAG Needs a New Owner
TAAG posted a net loss of $97.5 million in 2023 and has long relied on government subsidies to survive.
To prepare for sale, TAAG entered a two-year transformation under Lufthansa Consulting guidance in late 2025, targeting improvements in operations, maintenance, safety, and quality assurance.
Transport Minister Ricardo Viegas d’Abreu confirmed the government’s target is to sell a direct stake to a strategic partner ideally a major European or US airline group that will reduce operating costs and bolster TAAG’s global presence.
What Makes TAAG Attractive
TAAG’s biggest draw is its unique connectivity linking Angola’s domestic provinces with regular long-haul services to Portugal and Brazil, making it a natural bridge between Africa, Europe, and South America.
Angola is simultaneously investing in a new $3 billion Chinese-built international airport designed to handle 15 million passengers annually a development that significantly enhances TAAG’s long-term hub potential.
