# Angola Kwanza joins SADC payment system

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/angola-kwanza-joins-sadc-payment-system
> Updated: 2026-07-31T04:41:48.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, Angola’s central bank announced that the national currency, the kwanza, would be incorporated into the Southern African Development Community’s real‑time gross settlement (RTGS) platform, making it the bloc’s second settlement currency after the South African rand. The integration, presented by the South African Reserve Bank governor and Angola’s central bank governor, aims to cut transaction costs, reduce foreign‑exchange steps and speed cross‑border payments for businesses across the 15‑member SADC region, supporting broader African trade integration.

A few days later, the SADC highlighted the same currency addition while also reporting a new annual grant of US$90,000 from China for the 2026‑2027 financial year. The Chinese pledge, announced in Botswana, underscored continued partnership under a 2019 framework agreement and was welcomed by SADC officials alongside the kwanza integration.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: Southern African Development Community receives China grant and adds Angolan kwanza to RTGS

China pledged a $90,000 grant to SADC for 2026‑27 while Angola’s kwanza was added as a settlement currency in the SADC RTGS system, expanding regional financial integration.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southern-african-development-community-receives-china-grant-and-adds-angolan-kwanza-to-rtgs

### 2026-07-27: Angola's Kwanza Added to SADC Payment System to Facilitate Regional Trade

Angola’s kwanza joins the SADC real‑time settlement system as the second currency, aiming to cut costs and speed cross‑border trade; five local banks will use the platform and Botswana’s pula may follow.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/angolas-kwanza-added-to-sadc-payment-system-to-facilitate-regional-trade

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Cite as: Angola Kwanza joins SADC payment system. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/angola-kwanza-joins-sadc-payment-system