ISABEL dos Santos, once hailed as Africa’s wealthiest woman, has hit back at the UK’s recent sanctions, claiming the move is politically driven and not grounded in any legal proof of corruption. The British government had frozen her assets and imposed a travel ban last month, accusing the Angolan tycoon of embezzling millions from the oil-rich nation. Dos Santos, speaking to BBC Africa Daily from Dubai, vehemently denied these allegations, insisting she had never been found guilty of any corruption in any court.
A controversial figure
Dos Santos, the daughter of Angola’s former president, José Eduardo dos Santos, has been embroiled in multiple controversies regarding her vast fortune. The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, announced the sanctions as part of an effort to tackle global corruption, describing Dos Santos as a ‘notorious kleptocrat’ responsible for siphoning at least $442 million from state-run companies.
In response, Dos Santos maintained that the accusations against her were unfounded. She argued that Angola’s government had orchestrated a smear campaign to ruin her reputation. ‘There was no investigation, no inquiry,’ she told the BBC. ‘This is politics, not justice.’
The Luanda Leaks scandal
The allegations against Dos Santos were first raised in 2020 following the release of the ‘Luanda Leaks’ by BBC Panorama, which exposed documents suggesting she had used a London-based company to funnel funds out of Angola. Despite these revelations, Dos Santos denies any wrongdoing and remains adamant that the claims are politically motivated.
The road to wealth and influence
Born into privilege, Dos Santos studied in the UK before returning to Angola, where she built an empire spanning multiple sectors, including telecommunications, banking, and construction. By the age of 40, she had become Africa’s richest woman and one of the continent’s youngest billionaires.
Despite her success, her time heading Angola’s state-run oil company, Sonangol, in 2016 has been marked by accusations of mismanagement and corruption. Following her father’s departure from power in 2017, she was dismissed from her position at Sonangol by the new president, João Lourenço, who launched a high-profile anti-corruption campaign that targeted her family.
A family divided
Dos Santos has frequently criticized Lourenço, accusing him of betraying her father. She claims that the current president, who was once the vice-president under her father’s rule, is now attempting to distance himself from the legacy of the previous administration. ‘He had more involvement in the Angolan economy than most people think,’ she said.
The struggle continues
The impact of the sanctions on Dos Santos has been profound. Her assets were frozen in 2019, and her exclusion from Forbes’ billionaire list followed soon after. She now faces serious financial restrictions and is unable to receive any dividends from her companies.
Though Dos Santos has endured personal tragedies, including the deaths of her husband and father, she remains defiant. She has even hinted at a possible political future, suggesting she might consider running for the presidency in the future. ‘To lead is to serve,’ she said, stressing her desire to contribute to Angola’s growth, whether through politics or business.
As she continues to fight against what she views as unjust sanctions, Isabel dos Santos is determined to clear her name and prove that her rise to power was based on hard work, not corruption.
