Kizomba is coming to a dancefloor near you

A couple are dancing, cheek to cheek. Their bodies lean in towards each other as their feet weave in intimate conversation; his hand presses against her back, tacitly signalling the next move. It looks like a tango, except that the way the dancers' hips sway and their bodies rock is unmistakeably African.

This is kizomba, and it's the latest trend to sashay across London's dancefloors. Kizomba originated in Angola in the '80s but wasn't really seen in the UK until a few years ago. Recently, however, its profile has soared, thanks to dancer and teacher Iris de Brito. De Brito is a native Angolan, who came to London more than a decade ago. Trained in ballet, jazz and contemporary dance, she was a fixture on the salsa scene before having the idea of introducing kizomba to the wider world. The word 'kizomba' means 'party' in the Angolan language Kimbundo, and it's danced to music of the same name, a fusion of French Caribbean zouk and Angolan semba. The dance shares the same roots, although that probably doesn't mean much to an English audience.

'The first time I started advertising kizomba I called it Afro-tango,' says de Brito. 'I hate putting things in boxes but it's a way for people to visualise the dance. The way we move has a lot to do with tango, but it's not as strict in terms of body movement, which is where the African side has an influence, with the undulation of the body.' Kizomba is more laid back than tango, and more intimate, slow and sensual than salsa. It's sexy, but in an effortless way.

'I like the connection you have when you're dancing with somebody,' says de Brito. 'It's a little bit more interior, it's not so much about showing off. The connection is closer and more personal, without being seedy.'

Kizomba fans in London are an eclectic bunch. Doctors, engineers and financial analysts are among the mix at Kizomba UK's regular Thursday night events. 'It's a social dance, anybody can do it if they're taught properly,' says de Brito, adding, 'It's going to open the door to Angolan culture.'

For de Brito, honouring kizomba's heritage is important. Having not been back to Angola for more than 15 years (three decades of civil war have made it difficult and dangerous to travel there) this connection with her homeland is a vital one, and she's keen to see the dance form gets the respect it deserves.

To that end she's currently creating an official kizomba syllabus and teaching at her Studio Afro Latino in Hackney as well as at Kizomba UK's Thursday club nights. This Friday she'll be at monthly salsa night El Grande in Vauxhall, along with guest dancers Paula Loureiro and Ricardo Sousa from Portugal. All of which means plenty of excuses to put on your dancing shoes.

Kizomba UK, 101 Bar, New Oxford St, WC1A 1DB. 7pm every Thur, £7.