The head of the Africa programme at the Chatham House think-tank, Alex Vines, believes Angola under a new president will depend greatly on its exports of oil, most of which go to China.

In an opinion article published online by Newsweek, Mr Vines says: “What happens next is significant not only to Angola, but to Africa and the world, particularly those dependent on Angola’s vast oil reserves.”

Angola is holding an election this week to choose a successor to President José Eduardo dos Santos, who is relinquishing power after 37 years in office.

Mr Vines says Angola is strategically important because of its oil, but that the United States is buying much less of it, meaning Angola is increasingly dependent on China and other places in Asia buying it.