The United Kingdom has imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Isabel dos Santos, an Angolan billionaire and Africa’s first female billionaire, under its global anti-corruption sanctions framework, the British government announced on Thursday.
Dos Santos, the daughter of Angola’s former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who ruled the country for 38 years until 2017, has long been embroiled in allegations of corruption both in Angola and internationally. She has consistently denied these accusations, describing them as part of a political vendetta against her.
According to the British government, dos Santos misappropriated over £50 million ($63.19 million) during her tenure at Angola’s state oil company, Sonangol, and an additional £300 million while serving as director of the telecoms firm Unitel.
In September, a London High Court upheld a ruling to freeze up to £580 million of her assets in a lawsuit initiated by Unitel. Meanwhile, Interpol confirmed in 2022 that it had issued a red notice for her arrest, though dos Santos, who reportedly resides in Dubai, denies any wrongdoing.
The sanctions against dos Santos are part of a broader effort, with the UK government announcing measures against seven other individuals implicated in global corruption cases.
