The National Bank of Angola, the country's central bank, has lowered the minimum capital required for setting up microfinance companies (from 5 to 25 million kwanze - about $6.000) and credit cooperatives (from 25 to 1 million kwanze)

Angola ranked 4th among the 18 Central and Southern African countries for the best response to HIV-AIDS, according to the Global HIV-AIDS Surveillance Agency, behind Botswana, Namibia and South Africa

The country is expected to overtake Kenya as the fourth largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa by 2025, thanks to improved production and oil prices, according to the latest forecast by the International Monetary Fund

The third edition of the International Jazz Festival ANGOJAZZ, paying tribute to local jazz savvy Jeronimo Belo, saw the participation of 60 performers from Germany, Belgium, France, Portugal, Cuba, Venezuela with focus on training female Angolan artists

Rice production will be increased through a programme of development and technical advice, with the aim of reducing imports of a product of which the country purchases around 400.000 tonnes annually