Understanding the Angolan FDI Regulatory Landscape

Photo © David Stanley/ Flickr
Photo © David Stanley/ Flickr

This paper explores the regulatory framework for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Angola, with the objective of broadening understanding of the barriers to foreign investment in the country.

The regulatory environment in Angola is unpredictable, and foreign investors experience high levels of inefficiency in the execution of the various investment policies. As a result, and coupled with the lack of transport infrastructure, corruption and bureaucracy, Angola is viewed as one of the least hospitable places to do business. This has severely hindered foreign investment outside of the oil and mineral sectors. In the wake of the global downturn in oil prices, the Angolan government desperately needs foreign investment to promote diversification of the economy and broad-based development. In order to attract investors it needs to undertake serious institutional reforms to improve investors’ perceptions of the country’s business environment, particularly with respect to transparency, fiscal management and the rule of law.

The views expressed in this publication/article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).