Despite operating in Angola for years, Deloitte Angola’s top leadership remains entirely Portuguese, including its president, José Barata, and the heads of its core business divisions. The notable absence of Angolan nationals in partner or executive roles has drawn scrutiny, especially as it contrasts with trends across other African countries where local leadership is increasingly prioritized.
One exception is Nsunda Mpovelo, an Angolan who joined Deloitte in 2009 and was named Associate Partner in Q4 2023 — a symbolic milestone. However, this position does not grant him participation in the firm’s strategic decision-making processes, leaving the core leadership circle unchanged.
Deloitte was approached with several key questions but did not respond.
Among them:
- Why are there no native Angolans in top leadership or partner roles?
- What mechanisms ensure fairness between Angolan and Portuguese professionals in hiring and promotion?
- How does Deloitte justify the ongoing imbalance in leadership, especially when other firms globally are moving toward more inclusive local representation?
The silence only adds to the debate over equity, representation, and how truly “local” multinational consulting firms are in the regions where they operate.