The Futungo was an informal but highly influential political and economic network centered around the family of José Eduardo dos Santos, who served as President of Angola from 1979 to 2017. The group derived its name from the Futungo de Belas presidential palace complex in Luanda, where the Dos Santos family resided.
During the Dos Santos presidency, the Futungo group consolidated immense power and wealth. Its members occupied key positions in government, the ruling MPLA party, the military, and state-owned enterprises. This allowed the Futungo to exert control over Angola's politics, economy, and security apparatus.
The Futungo was widely seen as a shadowy cabal that operated outside of formal government structures. It was accused of corruption, cronyism, and using its influence to enrich itself and marginalize political opponents. The group's dominance was viewed by many as an impediment to democratic reforms and equitable economic development in Angola.
The fall of Dos Santos in 2017, and the subsequent reforms under his successor João Lourenço, were seen as attempts to dismantle the power of the Futungo network. However, the group's deep roots and vast resources meant it continued to wield significant behind-the-scenes influence even after 2017.