UK Sanctions Isabel dos Santos: A Turning Point in Anti-Corruption Efforts

By Prince Kurupati

The UK government recently imposed sanctions on Isabel dos Santos, once Africa’s richest woman, as part of a broader crackdown on global corruption. These measures include asset freezes and travel bans, targeting her for allegedly embezzling £350 million ($440 million) from Angola during her tenure at state-owned companies.

Dos Santos, the daughter of Angola’s late president José Eduardo dos Santos, is accused of exploiting her influence to siphon public funds through lucrative contracts and financial schemes.

During the latter part of her father’s 38 year tenure as the Angolan President, Dos Santos was chair of Angola’s national oil company, Sonangol, where she reportedly used her position to divert state funds into private accounts via shell companies. These operations were exposed in the 2020 “Luanda Leaks” investigation, which detailed her extensive global network of over 400 entities used to launder money and secure high-value contracts in sectors such as oil, telecommunications, and real estate. Angolan authorities have estimated that her actions cost the state approximately $219 million.

The sanctions were announced by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who stated, “These unscrupulous individuals selfishly deprive their fellow citizens of much-needed funding for education, healthcare, and infrastructure—for their own enrichment… I committed to taking on kleptocrats and the dirty money that empowers them when I became Foreign Secretary and these sanctions mark the first step in delivering this ambition.” He emphasized the UK’s commitment to tackling kleptocracy and illicit financial activities that harm global development.

The sanctions also targeted two of dos Santos’ close associates—Paula Oliveira and Sarju Raikundalia—alleged enablers of her financial schemes. This action marks the beginning of the UK government’s intensified campaign against corruption, which seeks to make the country a less hospitable environment for kleptocrats.

Dos Santos has denied all allegations, describing the sanctions as “unjustified” and politically motivated. She has announced plans to appeal the decision, asserting that no court has proven her guilty of corruption or bribery. Her legal troubles, however, extend beyond the UK, with asset freezes and charges in countries including Portugal and the U.S., and an Interpol Red Notice issued in 2022.

These sanctions highlight the global effort to hold powerful individuals accountable for corruption. In Angola, where over half the population lives on less than $3.65 a day, the alleged embezzlement has had dire consequences for development. The UK's actions also align with broader international efforts to recover stolen assets and support anti-corruption initiatives.

The case of Isabel dos Santos underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability in governance. As global pressure mounts, it remains to be seen how her appeals and ongoing investigations will unfold. This crackdown sends a strong message to kleptocrats worldwide: the era of impunity may be drawing to a close.