The Agostinho Neto University (Portuguese: Universidade Agostinho Neto) is the largest public university of Angola, based in Luanda and in the nearby city of Talatona, in Angola. In the academic year 2005–06, 68 licensing courses were ministered by the university: 18 in Bachelor's and 15 in master's degrees, involving areas of scientific knowledge in the faculties, institutes, and higher learning schools. It is one of seven public (state owned) universities in Angola. Until 2009 the Agostinho Neto University was the country's only public university, and had campuses in all its major cities. In 2009 it was split up, with its campuses outside Luanda becoming six autonomous universities, located in Benguela, Cabinda, Huambo, Lubango, Malange, and Uíge. Agostinho Neto University is now one of the seven regional university among others, serving Luanda Province and Bengo Province. It remains the largest university in Angola.
Large portions of the Angolan western margin remain poorly accessible and insufficiently studied, resulting in limited geological knowledge despite their high scientific potential. This study focuses on the Lower Cretaceous coastal sector between Binga Waterfalls and the lower Catumbela River (Benguela Sub-basin), where exceptionally well-exposed outcrops record key stages in the stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental evolution of the South Atlantic margin. Based on detailed fieldwork integrating stratigraphic, sedimentological, and palaeontological analyses, this work presents the first inventory and characterisation of twelve geosites identified for their geological heritage value. The studied outcrops display remarkable stratigraphic continuity, facies diversity, fossil content, and geomorphological expression. Several previously undocumented sections are here proposed as reference outcrops for the Lower Cretaceous of the Benguela Sub-basin, contributing to regional stratigraphic correlations within the South Atlantic domain. The geoheritage assessment follows internationally recognised frameworks and considers scientific value, representativeness, integrity, and rarity, together with educational relevance and geotourism potential. The sites also exhibit high landscape value, expressed by extensive coastal cliffs, well-preserved stratigraphic architectures, and fossil-rich carbonate deposits. The results highlight the dual significance of these outcrops as key geological archives and geoheritage assets. This inventory provides a baseline for future geological research along the Angolan margin and supports the integration of geoheritage into geoconservation, land-use planning, and sustainable geotourism strategies.
Moringa oleifera is widely recognised for its nutraceutical potential, particularly due to its rich nutritional and bioactive composition, traditionally used in Angola. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of edaphoclimatic conditions on phenolic compound content of M. oleifera leaf and their influence on biological activities. The leaves were analysed for their phenolic profile, antioxidant activity measured by the DPPH method, anti-inflammatory activity via lipoxygenase inhibition, and antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus across different harvest periods over two consecutive growth cycles (years from 2022 to 2023) at Luanda city. The results indicate that environmental factors, particularly high solar radiation and moderate soil moisture during late summer, just before the vegetative growth phase, significantly enhance phenolic compound accumulation. Key bioactive compounds, including gallic and caffeic acids, were more abundant during this period, contributing to increased antioxidant (128 µg/mL, IC50) and anti-inflammatory (64 µg/mL, IC50) activities. Additionally, antibacterial activity was significantly improved, particularly against E. coli bacteria (12 mm), supporting the correlation between higher phenolic content and enhanced antibacterial activity. While climatic conditions were the primary determinants of phenolic biosynthesis, soil properties such as organic matter and potassium levels also played a supportive role. These findings underscore the importance of optimising harvest strategies to enhance the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potential of M. oleifera leaf. By aligning cultivation practices with seasonal conditions, the bioactive compound yield can be maximised, improving its application in medicinal and functional food.
BackgroundMalaria remains a major public health problem in Angola, where sustained transmission persists despite expanded access to preventive and therapeutic interventions. Understanding community self-care practices is essential to improving malaria control in endemic settings.ObjectiveTo explore community perceptions, prevention practices, and treatment-seeking behaviors related to malaria among residents of the Canâmbua neighborhood, Malanje Province, Angola, using Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory as an analytical framework.MethodsA descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 28 adult household members selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and direct household observation between May and June 2024. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis.ResultsParticipants demonstrated substantial biomedical knowledge regarding malaria transmission and symptoms. Preventive practices included mosquito net use, environmental sanitation, and elimination of stagnant water. However, consistent implementation of these measures was hindered by discomfort associated with net use, economic constraints, and limited access to antimalarial medicines in public health facilities. Severe malaria manifestations were occasionally interpreted through sociocultural explanatory models, contributing to delayed care-seeking.ConclusionsDespite relatively high levels of malaria-related knowledge, significant self-care deficits persist due to structural and health system barriers. Theory-informed, culturally sensitive interventions that strengthen self-care agency and ensure uninterrupted access to diagnosis and treatment are critical for effective malaria control in peri-urban Angolan settings.
This study investigates the mechanical performance of Angolan bituminous asphalt mixtures modified with recycled tire rubber as a sustainable alternative to conventional asphalt materials. Recycled tire rubber was incorporated into the asphalt mixture to improve pavement flexibility, enhance resistance to cracking, and promote the reuse of waste tires. Angolan asphalt rock is considered as a potential bituminous material, while ground tire rubber is incorporated as an elastic modifier to improve the mechanical response and durability of the mixture. The experimental program includes the physical, chemical, and rheological characterization of the asphalt rock, recycled rubber, and conventional 50/70 bitumen. Several mixture formulation scenarios are proposed, including crushed asphalt rock, thermally activated asphalt rock, rubber-modified asphalt rock, hybrid rubber–bitumen binder systems, and optimized formulations. The mechanical performance of the developed mixtures will be evaluated through standardized laboratory tests, including Marshall stability and flow, indirect tensile strength, and compression tests.
Angola's economic transition to a model less dependent on the volatility of the oil sector requires strengthening strategic sectors, particularly technology-based tourism. This research analyzes the effectiveness of public policies in fostering tourism startups, comparing the current legal framework with the operational barriers reported by entrepreneurs. Through a qualitative methodology based on seven semi-structured interviews, the study uses data triangulation to diagnose the gap between state planning and market reality. The results reveal that, despite initiatives such as PLANATUR and BNA Notice 10, the ecosystem faces systemic obstacles, including low banking literacy, precarious infrastructure, and excessive bureaucracy. The study highlights the 2026 Startup Law as a milestone for correcting these asymmetries. It concludes that sustainable economic diversification depends on the real integration of digital innovation and a business environment that transcends statutory reforms, promoting the resilience of new businesses.
