Years of civil war have reduced the country to an insignificant ruble in the global economy. Angola tumbled from being the world's fourth largest coffee producer to a country that depends on foreign aid handouts for its survival. The nationalization of companies under the Marxist era chased many investors. It was American oil companies that identified exploitable opportunities and remained behind. Angola's potential lies in its diamond mines and oil fields.
Oil exploitation is risky business.
Companies that established themselves during the cold war years monopolise operations. There are attempts to make the country investor friendly and attractive, but the on going civil war is a major deterrent. Poor and non-existent infrastructure makes doing business outside Luanda impossible. Many people are weary of investing in Angola, despite government assurances. Most of the economic sectors, with the exception of oil, diamond and fishing, are unstable.