1C:Drive Certification for Angola: A Seamless Path to Tax Compliance

Since 2019, Angola has implemented Value Added Tax (VAT), along with new invoicing and reporting rules. One of the key requirements is the mandatory certification of billing software. Certified software must ensure digital signatures for all documents, generate SAF-T (AO) files, and comply with legal standards.

Sogester, a leading Angolan company specializing in container terminal management, was among those affected by these changes. While they already had a comprehensive billing and accounting system in place, they also adopted a certified tax accounting solution. However, this came with challenges: their tax reporting process required exporting data from their accounting system to the tax system, adding inconvenience. What's more, this tax accounting solution operated on a paid subscription model, increasing company costs.

For their accounting operations, Sogester used 1C:Drive, implemented by our Rise SA team. Having already established trust in our expertise and reliability, Sogester turned to us again, but this time with a request to enhance and certify 1C:Drive. The goal was to enable direct tax reporting from their accounting system, eliminating the need for third-party software. This marked the beginning of an exciting new phase in our collaboration.

1C:Drive certification process

1) Understating the requirements
First, the Rise SA team studied Angola’s tax regulations. The AGT (Angolan Tax Authority) requires billing software to:

• Digitally sign all invoices and documents.
• Generate SAF-T (AO) files in XML format.
• Ensure sequential numbering, data integrity, and compliance with Executive Decree No. 74/2019 and Executive Decree No. 317/20.

We reviewed the official documentation and AGT’s guidelines to identify the exact steps for certification, including key generation, digital signatures, and SAF-T (AO) file structure.

2) Implementing digital signatures
We integrated digital signatures into 1C:Drive, enabling the system to:

• Automatically sign every invoice and document.
• Include the signature in both digital records and printed copies.
• Handle special cases, like the first document in a series or foreign currency transactions.

3) Preparing for SAF-T (AO) reporting
We configured 1C:Drive to generate SAF-T (AO) files, ensuring:

• All required fields (like invoice numbers and totals) were included.
• Data was structured correctly for AGT’s system.
• Sequential numbering and validation rules were in place.

4) Once 1C:Drive received its official certification, we rolled out the certified system and trained Sogester’s team on exporting SAF-T (AO) files.

Project outcomes

As a result of 1C:Drive certification, Sogester has significantly simplified their tax reporting process:

• Direct reporting. The company can now generate and submit reports directly from 1C:Drive, eliminating manual data exports to other systems.
• Cost reduction. There is no need for an intermediate subscription-based system.
• Legal compliance. The system fully complies with AGT requirements.
• Error minimization. Automation reduced the risk of errors.
• Ease of use. The report preparation process now takes less time for the company employees.

This project once again proves the flexibility of the 1C platform, demonstrating its ability to adapt to complex regulatory environments and deliver tailored solutions. At Rise SA, we believe there is nothing impossible for a team of skilled experts committed to innovation and precision. By transforming 1C:Drive into a fully certified system for Angolan VAT requirements, we didn’t just meet a challenge, but also set a new standard for operational excellence.

Let’s turn your next challenge into a success story. Contact us to explore how we can help your business thrive.