Vera Daves de Sousa was born in Luanda, daughter of Angolan parents, married and 
mother of three children. She has a degree in Economics from the Catholic University of 
Angola in 2005.

Vera began her professional career in 2006 at Sonangol ESSA as a Finance Technician 
and, in the same year, joined Banco Privado Atlântico, where she served as Risk Analyst, 
Market Analyst and Director of the Products and Research Department until 2012.

During this period, between 2006 and 2012, she was also an Assistant Lecturer in the 
subjects of Public Finance and Economic Integration at the Catholic University of Angola.
In 2013, she co-authored the book Public Finance – Theory and Practical Exercises. From 
2013 to 2016, she was a member of the jury for the Sirius Awards, sponsored by Deloitte. 
During this time, she also worked as an economic commentator in various media outlets.

From 2016 to 2017, she was Chairwoman of the Capital Markets Commission, after serving 
nearly five years as an executive board member. From October 2017 to October 2019, she 
held the position of Secretary of State for Finance and Treasury. Since then, she has been 
Minister of Finance, having been reappointed after the August 2022 elections.

In April 2022, she successfully completed the Women’s Leadership Master-Class by ODDO 
BHF, consisting of 8 modules designed and delivered by the SMART Leadership Institute.

In 2022, Vera Daves de Sousa was distinguished as Minister of Finance of the Year by the 
African Banker Awards and, in 2023, she received the African Minister of Finance award, a 
distinction made by The Banker magazine.