Angola Payment System: Participation in SADC Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and Immediate Basis Low Value Credit Transactions (TCIB) Systems

PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE, SERIES I, NO. 092, OF MAY 21, 2025 NOTICE NO. 03/2025 SUBJECT: ANGOLA PAYMENT SYSTEM − Participation in the SADC Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System and the Immediate Basis Low Value Credit Transactions (TCIB) System Whereas there is a need to define the rules and procedures that Financial Institutions must observe for participation in the Southern African Development Community Real-Time Gross Settlement System – SADC-RTGS and in the Immediate Basis Low Value Credit Transactions System – TCIB. Pursuant to the combined provisions of the SADC Protocol on Finance and Investment, of August 18, 2006, Article 36 of Law No. 14/21, of May 19, the General Regime Law for Financial Institutions, paragraphs a) and d) of Article 6 of Law No. 40/20, of December 16, the Angola Payment System Law, together with Article 21 and paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 98, both of Law No. 24/21, of October 18, the National Bank of Angola Law. I HEREBY DETERMINE:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1
(Purpose)
This Notice establishes the general requirements and procedures that Financial Institutions must observe for their participation in the CONTINUATION OF NOTICE NO. 03/2025 Page 2 of 6 Southern African Development Community Real-Time Gross Settlement System (SADC-RTGS), as well as in the Southern African Development Community Immediate Basis Low Value Credit Transactions System (TCIB).
Article 2
(Scope)
This Notice applies to Financial Institutions under the supervision of the National Bank of Angola, as provided for in paragraphs a), b), d) and e) of paragraph 2 and in paragraph l) of paragraph 3, both of Article 7 of Law No. 14/21, of May 19, the General Regime Law for Financial Institutions.
Article 3
(Definitions)
For the purposes of this Notice, the following definitions apply:
a) Southern African Development Community Real-Time Gross Settlement System - SADC-RTGS: a real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system, which aims to facilitate the settlement of cross-border transactions in the SADC region, operated by the South African Reserve Bank; b) Immediate Basis Low Value Credit Transactions System - TCIB: a low-value payment system in the SADC region, which allows for the immediate clearing of cross-border transactions, settled on a deferred basis; c) SADC Banking Association Beige Book: a manual developed by the SADC Banking Association that describes the payment system business processes, the operational and regulatory requirements for financial market infrastructures (FMIs) in SADC, ensuring their compliance with international standards. CONTINUATION OF NOTICE NO. 03/2025 Page 3 of 6
Article 4
(Access)

1. A Financial Institution intending to apply for participation in the SADC-RTGS must be a participant in the Real-Time Payment System - SPTR.
2. A Financial Institution intending to apply for participation in the TCIB must be a participant in the Instant Transfer System – STI.
   CHAPTER II
   SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY REAL-TIME GROSS SETTLEMENT SYSTEM
   Article 5
   (Adhesion and Participation)
3. For adhesion and participation in the SADC-RTGS, the Financial Institution must follow the following procedures:
   a) Express its intention by submitting a letter addressed to the National Bank of Angola; b) Submit to the head of the SADC Banking Association a scanned copy of the authorization from the National Bank of Angola, as provided in the SADC-RTGS Implementation Guide; c) Inform the National Bank of Angola about the acceptance of the application within seven days, as well as periodically about the progress in fulfilling the requirements established in the SADC Banking Association Beige Book; d) Comply with the operational procedures disclosed in the SADC Banking Association Beige Book.
4. The Financial Institution must submit the Access Criteria form to the National Bank of Angola, together with the respective evidence of
   CONTINUATION OF NOTICE NO. 03/2025 Page 4 of 6 compliance with the technical, operational, and normative requirements for final authorization and commencement of activity in the SADC-RTGS.
5. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph c) of paragraph 1 of this article, the Financial Institution participating in the SADC-RTGS must observe the regulatory and operational requirements defined by the system operator.
   Article 6
   (Limits)
   The maximum usage limits applicable to operations carried out in the SADC-RTGS are defined in the Notice on Rules for Carrying out Foreign Exchange Operations by Individuals and in the Notice on Rules and Procedures for Carrying out Foreign Exchange Operations for Current Invisibles by Legal Entities.
   Article 7
   (Deadlines)
6. The execution of transfers ordered for the SADC – RTGS must comply with the provisions of Instruction No. 01/20 on the Maximum Deadline for the Execution of Foreign Currency Sale Operations and Associated Foreign Exchange Operations.
7. The value of transfers processed in the SADC-RTGS must be made available to beneficiaries immediately after their execution.
   CHAPTER III
   IMMEDIATE BASIS LOW VALUE CREDIT TRANSACTIONS SYSTEM (TCIB)
   Article 8
   (Adhesion and Participation)
8. For adhesion and participation in the TCIB, the Financial Institution must follow the following procedures:
   CONTINUATION OF NOTICE NO. 03/2025 Page 5 of 6 a) Express its intention by submitting a letter addressed to the National Bank of Angola; b) Comply with the requirements and conditions for participation defined by the TCIB Operator.
9. The Financial Institution must submit to the National Bank of Angola evidence of compliance with the technical, operational, and normative requirements defined by the TCIB Operator, for final authorization and commencement of activity.
10. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph b) of paragraph 1 of this article, the Financial Institution participating in the TCIB must observe the regulatory and operational requirements defined by the system operator.
    Article 9
    (Limits)
    Without prejudice to the limits defined in the regulation on Foreign Currency Sale Operations and Foreign Exchange Operations, the limits applicable to operations carried out in the TCIB are defined in specific regulation.
    Article 10
    (Deadlines)
    The maximum deadlines for execution and availability of funds for operations processed in the TCIB are defined in specific regulation.
    CHAPTER IV
    INFORMATION PROCESSING AND REPORTING
    Article 11
    (Processing)
11. Fund transfers ordered by Financial Institutions participating in the SADC-RTGS and TCIB, for the SADC region, must be processed via the SADC-RTGS and TCIB.
    CONTINUATION OF NOTICE NO. 03/2025 Page 6 of 6
12. Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Financial Institution must ensure the provisioning of the SADC-RTGS and TCIB settlement accounts to fulfill its financial obligations.
    Article 12
    (Information Reporting)
    The structure, form, and periodicity of information reporting on the SADC-RTGS and TCIB are defined in specific regulation.
    CHAPTER V
    TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
    Article 13
    (Sanctioning Regime)
    Non-compliance with the provisions of this Notice constitutes an offense provided for and punishable under Law No. 40/20, of December 16 – Angola Payment System Law and Law No. 14/21, of May 19 – General Regime Law for Financial Institutions.
    Article 14
    (Doubts and Omissions)
    Doubts and omissions resulting from the interpretation and application of this Notice shall be resolved by the National Bank of Angola.
    Article 15
    (Entry into Force)
    This Notice enters into force 90 (ninety) days after the date of its publication.
    PUBLISH.
    Luanda, May 07, 2025
    THE GOVERNOR
    MANUEL ANTÓNIO TIAGO DIAS