[ID:0509]A decade of democracy in South Africa has brought with it economic opportunities. The country has maintained its economic prominence on the continent although it has little influence in North Africa, which continues to operate separately from sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa plays a leading role in mining. Geologists and engineers have obtained work in the mining industry throughout Africa.
There are other bright spots on the continent. Angola's oil sector is cautiously expanding with prospects that the country and region will remain stable. Nigeria is still a major oil producer and maintains relative stability given its size and complex, ethnic north"“south divide. Ghana remains democratic and stable. Libya is surprisingly opening up to the world and, with greater world acceptance, its oil reserves will generate much new economic activity in the region. Algeria's economic prospects are also on the rise as its political troubles now seem to be in its past. The overall message to outside investors from the continent can still be discouraging, however. Zimbabwe and the Côte d'Ivoire...