A new Poupalá supermarket opened in the Angolan province of Icolo e Bengo, following a $362,000 investment.
The Poupalá supermarket network was founded in Angola in 2009. Following financial problems, it was partly nationalized in 2012. The Angolan state, which still has a 35% stake in the chain, restructured the business and privatized it again in 2014. Despite its private ownership, the retailer still has a close connection to the state.
Along with Nosso Super, Poupalá is part of the government’s PRESILD program which seeks to introduce low-range and small-sized supermarkets across the country in an effort to guarantee the availability basic consumer’s basic basket outside major cities. In 2012, the plan was to expand the network of stores to 163 outlets.
Poupalá outlets accept the government-issued Kicuia card, which is attributed in the context of the PRESILD program. According to government’s officials, in the new store, the card will have a monthly value of Kw10 thousand and beneficiaries will only be able to use it to buy products which are part of the government-set basic basket. These products are available at a lower price to Kicuia card holders. The store – as with the remaining stores in the chain – is, nonetheless, open to all customers.
Poupalá stores, although dealing groceries in its majority, also sell clothing and some farming materials. The new outlet involved a Kw60 million ($361,620) private investment and will serve a population of about 74,600 people.
If you’d like to get more news and insight sent directly to you, please sign up for our weekly newsletter.
