Falling oil receipts and a foreign exchange crisis have hit Angola’s economy hard. A recent Eurobond issue, a prospective IMF loan and the restructuring of state oil company Sonangol should help the government fund much-needed infrastructure improvements – but any recovery is likely to be slow and hard won. James King reports.

Angola has come through a long civil war, enjoyed a relatively brief boom period, and is now encountering a long-term slump in oil prices. This has led the government to instigate economic reform and support infrastructure improvements to draw investors to the country’s other abundant resources. James King reports.

A dollar liquidity crunch amid regulatory concerns, bad loans and low oil prices have tested Angola’s banks recently. Now central bank moves to tighten rules and a wave of consolidation are shaking up the sector, resulting in survival of only the fittest. James King reports.

Angola’s steady story of economic growth has been badly disrupted by the global collapse in oil prices. Can the 'ultimate petrostate' weather the storm?

Angola has big potential as a visitor destination, and as a sector, tourism could be a driver of non-oil growth and jobs. But high costs and red tape are deterring overseas visitors and the country needs to work harder to deliver on its ambitions.

The Angolan banking sector has been hit hard by the oil price slump, adding to concerns about systemic loan book weakness. However, a tough new asset quality review should improve matters, as should the expansion of the country's capital markets.

Angola's failure to diversify away from oil has led to faltering growth in what has been in recent years one of Africa's best-performing economies. Though the government is managing the crisis better than in previous years, the currency remains unstable and access to foreign currency is in short supply. 

Angola’s impressive post-war development continues apace. But as oil production stagnates, the government is under greater pressure than ever to diversify the economy and create jobs.