Angola’s central bank has carried out a wave of reforms in recent years to improve its monetary policies and modernise the banking sector. And its governor, José de Lima Massano, says there is still more to come.

Angola’s government has launched several initiatives to boost the country's non-oil sectors. Some of these, including a hike in import tariffs in March, have proved controversial, while the business environment remains tough by global standards. But investors think the country still has plenty going for it.

Angola’s banking sector has been hit by a recent rise in non-performing loans, a legacy of reckless lending in the past decade. But bankers are optimistic that the worst is over. 

Standard Chartered already has one of the largest African businesses among banks from outside the continent, but it still wants to increase its operations there substantially in the next few years. Diana Layfield, its chief executive for Africa, tells Paul Wallace how.

Oil looks set to dominate Angola's economy in the medium term and potentially longer if pre-salt discoveries prove as lucrative as optimists hope. But new regulations in the US and Europe could shake up the industry, while the government hopes to develop gas exports and the mining sector.

Angola has recovered quickly from its slump four years ago and regained its position as one of the world’s most buoyant economies. But despite that, the country's ruling party will have to adapt to the changing expectations of Angolans, for many of whom peace is no longer enough. 

Angola’s government has won plaudits for its macroeconomic reforms since the 2009 crisis, but plenty more are needed to lure foreign investment and modernise what is still one of the world’s toughest business environments.

Life for Angola’s banks is getting harder, thanks in no small part to falling interest rates and new taxes. But, as the country's economy continues to perform impressively, growth opportunities will remain. The challenge will be to make sure that this growth is sustainable.