This paper analyses the rampant economic development in Angola that has been occurring in the last couple of decades simultaneously with many other sub-Saharan countries. More specifically, this thesis highlights the role of China in Angola. Chinese and Angolan economic cooperation often been called a south-south cooperation has helped the war torn sub-Saharan country to rise from the ashes of a never ending civil war that lasted for a quarter of a century. The cooperation has been mutual. Angolan abundance of primary resources such as oil, timber and diamonds have fuelled the Chinese economy and Chinese cash and investments have helped Angola to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
However, the issues that this paper analyses deal with a resource curse, whether Angola can be affected. A natural resource rich country such as Angola which receives billion of US dollars from Chinese investments and cooperation is still having difficulties of getting out of poverty. Most people in Angola live beyond the poverty line, illiteracy has not gone down, fatal illnesses and disease have not yet been tackled properly, yet the country’s GDP is growing at a pace fastest than that of any other sub-Saharan countries. It is in this regard that I will argue that Angola could possibly be a victim of a resource curse. Whether the resource curse is fuelled by China’s economic and financial aid is unclear. I will analyse whether Angola is suffering from a resource curse and if this curse has been fuelled or aggravated by the influence of China in the country.