Living in Angola: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Angola.
Angola is a Portuguese-speaking country in the Southern part of Africa. Mastering Portuguese represents a serious asset if you think of moving and settling here.
Expats looking for work can benefit of the fast economic growth the country has recently experienced, based on oil revenues and foreign investments. Most job offers are available among multinational companies settled in Angola.
The warm months in Angola are from December to May, with temperatures averaging around 28°C. July is the coldest month with temperatures averaging at 22°C; November to April is the rainy season, which can result in floods.
After its independence from Portugal in 1975, Angola was hit by a 27-year long civil war, which ended in 2002. But the country is now in the process of recovery, and despite many post-war issues and traumas, the people of Angola remain strong in adversity and proud of their beautiful country.
Angola's economy is vastly relying on the oil industry thanks to the country's oil-rich environment (one of the richest in the African continent) ' oil accounts for 90% of the country's exports. Diamonds are the other main export. However, the sales of both oil and diamonds have been affected by the global recession, which in return has been detrimental to the economy of Angola.
It is not easy to travel to Angola, and the visa requirements are strict. But for expats who are working in the non-governmental sector or with the United Nations, there are many opportunities to offer their services in this developing country ' and the paperwork to enter the country, will be, of course, arranged by the employer.
