G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
Angolan business tycoon Isabel dos Santos, once considered Africa’s richest woman, has criticized the UK government’s decision to impose sanctions on her, calling it politically motivated and unjustified. In an exclusive interview with the BBC Africa Daily podcast, dos Santos expressed surprise at the move, maintaining that she has not been found guilty of corruption in any court globally. The sanctions, announced last month, include an asset freeze and travel ban, with the UK government describing her as a "notorious kleptocrat" accused of siphoning millions from Angola’s state resources.
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, introduced these sanctions as part of a broader crackdown on “dirty money.” Official statements allege that dos Santos systematically abused her positions at Angola’s state-owned companies, embezzling at least £350 million (approximately $442 million). These funds, the UK government claims, were diverted from critical development projects, depriving Angola of essential resources. The allegations stem from a series of investigations, including the 2020 Luanda Leaks, a report produced through leaked documents shared by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and BBC Panorama.
Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of former Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos, has categorically denied these claims, attributing the accusations to a politically driven campaign orchestrated by the current Angolan government. Dos Santos asserts that President Joao Lourenço’s administration has targeted her and her family under the guise of anti-corruption reforms. She argued that Lourenço himself, having been a key figure in the ruling MPLA party, bears responsibility for many past decisions.
In her defense, dos Santos emphasized her entrepreneurial contributions to Angola’s economy. Educated in the UK and holding a degree in electrical engineering from King’s College London, she recounted her journey from humble beginnings, including early business ventures such as delivering beer to restaurants. Over time, she built a sprawling business empire spanning telecommunications, banking, cement manufacturing, and satellite television. By her account, she has created over 200,000 jobs, becoming one of Angola’s largest taxpayers and private employers.
The allegations against her intensified following her controversial appointment in 2016 as head of the state-owned oil company, Sonangol. Critics argued that her leadership at Sonangol was marred by corruption and mismanagement, although dos Santos maintains that she was brought in to turn the struggling company around. Shortly after her father stepped down in 2017, dos Santos was dismissed, and her assets were frozen under President Lourenço’s administration. She has since lived abroad, primarily in Dubai, and faces an Interpol Red Notice, which could lead to her provisional arrest if she returns to Angola.
Dos Santos further claims that the freezing of her assets was based on falsified documents, including a fake passport signed under the name of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. Despite this, she asserts that her case has yet to be heard in court, a delay she describes as highly irregular for a civil dispute. Angola’s attorney-general’s office, however, maintains that its investigations are evidence-based and denies any political interference in her case.
The once-celebrated billionaire now faces ongoing legal and financial struggles, compounded by personal tragedies, including the deaths of her husband and father. Despite being dropped from Forbes’ billionaires list in 2021 due to her frozen assets, dos Santos remains resilient. When asked about her political aspirations, she left the door open, stating that serving Angola, whether through politics, business, or philanthropy, remains her ultimate goal.
As she navigates these allegations and sanctions, Isabel dos Santos aims to clear her name and share her side of what she calls a “complex” story. While the UK and Angola remain firm in their positions, her case continues to spark global debate on corruption, justice, and political power dynamics in Africa.