# João Lourenço

_President of Angola since 2017_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/joao-lourenco
Last updated: 2026-11-08

> João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço is an Angolan politician who is currently serving as the third president of Angola since 26 September 2017. Previously, he was the minister of defence from 2014 to 2017. In September 2018, he became the chairman of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the ruling party. He was the party's secretary-general from 1998 to 2003.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 5 March 1954 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28650390#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Lobito ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28650390#P19))
- **Citizenship:** Angola ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28650390#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; military personnel; minister; military officer ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28650390#P106))
- **Political party:** People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28650390#P102))
- **Education:** V. I. Lenin Military-Political Academy ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28650390#P69))
- **Spouse:** Ana Dias Lourenço ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28650390#P26))
- **Positions held:** Chairperson of the African Union (2025–2026); President of Angola (since 26 September 2017); Minister of National Defence of Angola (22 April 2014 – 26 September 2017); Governor of Benguela; Governor of Moxico; Member of the National Assembly of Angola ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28650390#P39))
- **Awards:** Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry; Order of the Welwitschia; Order of José Martí; Collar of the Spanish Order of the Civil Merit; Order of the Republic of Serbia; Order of Merit of the Italian Republic ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28650390#P166))

## Questions

**When was João Lourenço born?**  
João Lourenço was born on 5 March 1954 in Lobito.

**What positions has João Lourenço held?**  
Positions held by João Lourenço include: Chairperson of the African Union (2025–2026); President of Angola (since 26 September 2017); Minister of National Defence of Angola (2014–2017); Governor of Benguela; Governor of Moxico.

**Where did João Lourenço study?**  
João Lourenço was educated at V. I. Lenin Military-Political Academy.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): João Lourenço](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo%C3%A3o_Louren%C3%A7o) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q28650390](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28650390) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: President of Angola João Lourenço during a bilateral exchange at the Angola presidential palace in Luanda, Angola, September 27, 2023 - 230927-D-PM193-1914 (cropped).jpg by U.S. Secretary of Defense (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:President_of_Angola_Jo%C3%A3o_Louren%C3%A7o_during_a_bilateral_exchange_at_the_Angola_presidential_palace_in_Luanda,_Angola,_September_27,_2023_-_230927-D-PM193-1914_(cropped).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article João Lourenço, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: President of Angola João Lourenço during a bilateral exchange at the Angola presidential palace in Luanda, Angola, September 27, 2023 - 230927-D-PM193-1914 (cropped).jpg — U.S. Secretary of Defense, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"João Lourenço". DigiNepal. Last updated 8 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/joao-lourenco. Retrieved 11 November 2026.