Angola’s social security system represents one of the most complex and evolving aspects of the nation’s post-independence development. From its colonial origins through decades of civil war to recent comprehensive reforms, the country’s approach to social protection has undergone dramatic transformations that reflect broader political, economic, and social changes within Angolan society. Colonial Foundations and Early Independence (1960s-1975) The roots of Angola’s social security system trace back to the Portuguese colonial period, when rudimentary social protection schemes were established primarily for Portuguese settlers and a small number of urban African workers. The colonial administration implemented basic pension and healthcare provisions modeled after Portuguese social security legislation, but these benefits remained largely inaccessible to the vast majority of the indigenous population. During the 1960s, as independence movements gained momentum, the Portuguese authorities began expanding social services as part of their strategy to maintain control. However, these efforts were limited in scope...