The Angolan province of Zaire has the distinction of being one of the least populated of the country's 18 provinces, but it is also one of the richest in terms of resources, especially oil, farmland and fishing. Like much of Angola, however, the key to development rests on the ability to tap into those resources, which in turn depends on another resource: investment capital.

“We have a big province with a wide range of possibilities to develop”

Ludy Kissassunda, Governor of Zaire, wants to see the province grow in all aspects, he is pushing for more schools, hospitals and better roads

There was a time, says Zaire provincial governor Ludy Kissassunda, when the province was entirely self-sufficient. "Citrus fruit thrives here, oranges, mandarins as well as big, juicy pineapples. Rice and beans also can be grown in abundance plus peanuts. In our area palm oil was also produced for cooking oil. Prior to the war we were self-sufficient, unfortunately nowadays all these items have to be imported."
Zaire's importance to national development lies in the fact that it is the country's largest oil-producing province after Cabinda and is host to many of the world's top oil companies. The petroleum industry, however, is not a great provider of the type of employment opportunities that can reach a broad section of the population.
"Of course petroleum today plays a vital role in our economy, but we have other areas ofpotential like farming and fishing," Mr. Kissassunda points out.

But these sectors are still very underdeveloped in Zaire province, where better equipment and technology are the missing ingredients and there is no shortage of desire or manpower. "We have projects aimed at exploiting the fishing industry and are encouraging investors to join partnerships with the government of the province to work in the fishing area. The risk is minor, nearly none, and the potential is enormous," the governor says.
During the years of colonial rule, the Portuguese developed a strong industrial fishing infrastructure in several other coastal provinces, but never got around to Zaire.
"It is highly possible for us to perform industrial fishing here by creating the right conditions," Mr. Kissassunda says. "The infrastructure is not present at the moment, but in partnership with a foreign enterprise willing to work with us the conditions will be created. We know we cannot make a living from petroleum alone. We are not like Saudi Arabia, it is important that we diversify."

Resource rich but underdeveloped, Zaire would benefit greatly from better equipment and technology. Investors are encouraged by low-risk ventures with great potential.

The same applies to farming and cattle raising, the governor points out. "In these fields we are a little bit behind at the moment because we lack modern farming techniques and equipment. But our government is more than willing to cooperate with foreign companies wishing to help us develop these areas."
Mr. Kissassunda is straightforward discussing foreigners' concerns that setting up in Angola or in the province of Zaire entails a certain safety risk due to rebel forays into some areas.
"There are many foreign companies operating here and nothing ever happens to them. But I cannot afford to guarantee you that nothing will ever happen. Because as we all know, a terrorist act can occur anywhere and at a moment when we would never expect it," the governor notes.

Zaire is one of the most lush regions in Angola. Before the war the province was self-sufficient in many agricultural products but now has to import to feed its people.

Like most provinces, Zaire is pushing for more of a share of national revenues for development projects, and Mr. Kissassunda is confident the government will respond in due time.
"It is the wish of every citizen to see his country, his province and town develop even more. Either with or without me leading within five years, I wish to see our province grow in all aspects, whether economically or socially. I would like to see more schools, hospitals and better roads so that people can move freely and everyone can work and contribute according to his possibilities and knowledge. We have a big province with a wide range of possibilities that need to be developed."