Luanda - The National Bank of Angola (BNA) has denied any involvement in illicit practices linked to the contracts signed with Boston Consulting Group, Inc. (BCG).
In a statement, in reaction to the recent news involving BCG and the investigations conducted by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the Angolan Central Bank clarifies that it was not involved in any illicit activities related to the contracts signed with the consultancy firm.
The DOJ report indicates that, between 2011 and 2017, BCG agents and employees made commission payments to a local representative in Angola with the aim of securing contracts with Angolan government bodies, namely the Ministry of Economy and the BNA. However, the document does not cite any involvement by the BNA, as an institution, or its employees, in these practices.
The BNA stresses that all contracts signed with BCG followed the strict compliance procedures required by the institution, and that there was no communication or practice that violated the legal and ethical standards established by the bank.
“There is no evidence that the National Bank of Angola acted improperly or was involved in the actions mentioned,” said a spokesman of the bank, as quoted by the public daily newspaper Jornal de Angola.
The statement adds that the BNA reaffirms its commitment to best governance practices and integrity in all its processes for contracting and executing services.
The DOJ investigation focused on the actions of BCG and its agents in Portugal, who took advantage of their close relationships with government officials to secure contracts. These agents, according to the report, acted in isolation and without the knowledge of the institutions involved.
“This episode reinforces the importance of maintaining high standards of compliance and transparency. We will continue to work to ensure that all our operations are fully aligned with legal and ethical principles,” said the BNA spokesperson.
The Central Bank concludes the statement by expressing its willingness to collaborate with the competent authorities and reaffirming its stance of transparency and commitment to legality in all its activities. VC/AMP
