Angola Implements Digital Mining Registry (CMA) to Streamline Licensing and Attract Investment
Angola has taken a major step toward modernising its mining sector with the appointment of a Multidisciplinary Technical Commission to oversee the digitisation of the licensing process for mining activities.
The initiative follows the implementation of the Angola Digital Mining Registry System (CMA) and forms part of the country’s broader public administration digital transformation agenda.
The reform is aligned with Objective 37.1 of Angola’s National Development Plan, which aims to strengthen geological knowledge, improve mineral resource mapping and update national inventories under the Programme for the Development and Modernisation of Geological and Mining Activities.
The initiative also supports Angola’s commitments under Presidential Decrees No. 181/22 and 182/22 of 22 July, which established the 2022–2027 Digital Transition Agenda for Public Administration and the Simplification of Administrative Procedures Project.
These reforms seek to accelerate the adoption of e-governance tools, reduce bureaucracy and enhance the efficiency and quality of public services.
The new CMA platform is designed to modernise the management of mining rights by simplifying procedures, improving integration between stakeholders and increasing transparency in the granting of licences.
By digitising the macro process of mining title allocation, the system aims to eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen regulatory oversight.
According to Emanuel Saturnino, Coordinator of the Technical Commission for the Implementation of the Mining Licensing and Registration Management System (CMA), the platform enables direct interaction between investors, operators and the regulator.
It facilitates mining title applications, fee payments and regulatory compliance through a fully digital interface. The system is also expected to support economic diversification, attract responsible investment and increase public revenues.
Saturnino described the transition to a fully digital Mining Registry as a structural transformation in how mining rights are managed in Angola.
Beyond its technological dimension, the CMA introduces a new operating model based on clear, predictable and transparent procedures aligned with international best practices.
In addition to streamlining operations, the platform strengthens legal certainty for investors and consolidates Angola’s geological and mining database, enhancing the overall attractiveness of the sector.
While international experience informed the acquisition of the core software, Saturnino emphasized that key components including the Organisational Information System were developed by Angolan technical teams, demonstrating local expertise and institutional capacity.
The Technical Commission is currently conducting outreach efforts to promote awareness of the new system among stakeholders, ensuring that potential users understand its functionality and have opportunities to provide feedback.
The digitisation of Angola’s mining licensing process marks a significant milestone in the country’s drive to modernise governance, improve transparency and position its mining sector for sustainable growth and international competitiveness.
