UNITEL, Angola’s leading mobile network operator, has completed the restoration of its core mobile services following a cyberattack that struck in the early hours of July 28, 2026. In a market update issued on August 6, the company confirmed that primary mobile voice, messaging, mobile data, internet access and third-party services operating on its network were fully restored on August 5.
The attack deliberately targeted UNITEL’s technology infrastructure, causing partial nationwide unavailability of services that affected more than 21 million subscribers. The incident occurred less than 24 hours before the company’s landmark initial public offering on the Angolan stock exchange (BODIVA), which proceeded as scheduled and raised approximately $321–329 million for a 15% stake.
UNITEL said it immediately activated incident containment measures and business continuity plans. Progressive restoration began on July 29, with 2G and 3G coverage re-established nationwide by the evening of July 30. Messaging services and electronic top-up channels followed, while 4G and 5G data services were gradually returned in significant portions of the network.
Fixed-line services, delivered via fibre-optic and microwave links that support public institutions and businesses, remained unaffected throughout the outage. Point-of-sale terminals and other digital services dependent on UNITEL’s mobile network experienced disruptions during the downtime.
The operator stated that technical teams, supported by technology partners, will continue optimisation, monitoring and systems normalisation work in the coming days to ensure stability. Customers still experiencing intermittent issues were advised to contact customer support channels or visit retail outlets.
UNITEL is cooperating with national authorities and specialised cybersecurity partners to investigate the incident and gather evidence. The company has described the attack as deliberate and targeted, noting its timing relative to the IPO process, but has not released further details on the method or perpetrators pending the outcome of inquiries. Additional information will be shared once key conclusions are reached, provided disclosure does not compromise security or ongoing investigations.
UNITEL thanked the Angolan government, state security and defence institutions, regulators and industry stakeholders for their support during the response. The company reaffirmed its commitment to reliable, secure and high-quality telecommunications services while keeping customers, regulators and the market informed.
The successful restoration closes a significant disruption for Angola’s dominant mobile operator and marks a return to normal operations after one of the most visible cyber incidents to affect the country’s critical infrastructure in recent years.
