ANGOLA
June 2026
‘I sold my computer and my friend sold his shoes and we bought our first skateboard.’
Can you tell us something about Angola no one knows?
Angola has the second-largest waterfall in Africa located in the Malanje Province and these majestic falls are a breathtaking natural wonder.
When was skateboarding introduced to Angola?
I have no idea of how skateboarding was introduced to Angola, and I remember in 2016 when I started skating I’ve found a lot of good guys already ripping.
How many active skaters are there?
Currently because of the lack of access to skateboarding materials in Angola I could say that less than 50 skaters are active in the whole country.
Do you have any places to skate?
Yes, besides the skatepark we do have places to skate like streets spots and there’s a big spot named Bay Of Luanda that’s really a good spot to skate and chill and I also believe that there are many others good spots in others provinces of Angola.
Concrete Jungle Foundation built the country’s first skate park in Luanda. How did this come about?
The built of the Luanda Skatepark was a long process and all started with the influence of Jesse Mendes CEO-Founder of Angola Skateboarding Union – ASU, who has been a very determined guy in keeping the skateboarding scene in Angola alive and he looked for connections and supports outside of Angola and he finally had the connection with the Concrete Jungle Foundation – CJF and they worked hard to raise global donations selling Luanda Skatepark decks, T-shirts and other stuff with the aim of building the first skatepark of Angola in 2018.
Who is Jesse Mendes and what is his connection to Angola?
He’s an Angolan who grows up at South Africa and came back to Angola with his infectious passion for skateboarding he worked hard in growing the culture helping out others with gear and brought a whole new level of energy to the Angola skateboard community. Jesse Mendes is the president of Angola Skateboarding Union – ASU association and a total legend and game-changer in skateboarding scene in Angola.
‘You guys from Switzerland are the best.’
Tell us something about yourself?
Well I’m Nilton Carvalho from Luanda, Angola and I’m 24 years old and since 2021 I’ve been working independent as a motorbike taxi driver around Luanda as a way to earn a living to support my family and pursue my skateboarding dreams.
How did you get involved with skateboarding?
Well to be honest as a child I was so addicted in playing video games that I never imagined that one day I could be a skateboarder. Certain day in 2016 I was with some friends in our street talking about Celebrities like Lil Wayne and Justin Bieber on how they has been making musing and still practicing sports after one of my friends and me we were motivated to start skating then days after I sold my computer and my friend sold his shoes and we bought our first skateboards what was really best idea I had in my life because skateboard really changed my view of life.
Where did you purchase your first skateboard from?
I bought my first skateboard at Kero Nova Vida hypermarket in 2016.
How do you have access to skateboard decks and accessories anyway? I assume you do not have any skate shops?
Well back in the days in 2017 I remember I bought my first Element Pro Trucks in a skateshop we had in Luanda named S.O.S Surf Skate Shop but unfortunately, they closed in the same year and it’s where the lack of skateboard materials started. As a coach of “Edu-Skate” program by Concrete Jungle Foundation (CJF) in collaboration with Angola Skateboarding Union (ASU) they supported me with decks, and I also won some contests like best tricks hosted by Angola Skateboarding Union (ASU) by the way I accumulated skateboard materials, and I could keep me skating for a while.
‘There’s a big spot named Bay Of Luanda that’s really a good spot to skate and chill.’
You run Luanda Skate School. Tell me more about it?
Well after the built of the Luanda Skatepark I was working as a coach with Angola Skateboarding Union- ASU for a Concrete Jungle Foundation’s project of skate lessons sadly after years the project was down. I was really hyped in teaching kids how to skate and grow up the skate scene in Angola then January of 2025 I decided to start the “Luanda Skate School” project with the main goal in using skateboard as a positive outlet to develop life skills like perseverance, self-discipline and provide an alternative to negative influences on the streets and give the kids a direction to stay on a positive path of life.
Do you get any support from outside Angola?
Yes I do have some support from some friends outside of Angola and I want to extend my gratitude for the love they has been showing to me. Big ups to Philippe Vaudan, John Tieche from Another Beautiful Universe Distribution, Karim Stalder from Santaï Skateshop, Didi, Xavier Fort and Jacques Oggier. You guys from Switzerland are the best.
What are some of some of the main challenges for the local people of Angola?
There are too many challenges for the people in Angola, and I will mention some of them that I think are really important for the community development like: The access to healthcare is limited especially in rural regions. High food prices, low-paying and unstable jobs with high cost of living. Infrastructures and basics services: many areas lack clean water, sanitation, electricity, and good roads. Education system weakness, corruption and governance issues. Lack of business training: many youths don’t receive practical education in business, entrepreneurship, or financial literacy.
Last question. If you could interview a person?
As a skateboard lover I would like to interview Nyjah Huston because he’s such a good skater that I would like to know by his words what’s the secret to stay on the level of confidence in skateboarding.