From 1976 to 2002 economic instability and the lack of resources handicapped the growth and development of national businesses. Therefore with the lack of local expertise in areas related to the oil industry, Sonangol expanded beyond the oil industry and into other industries and service sectors.

The need to fulfill its objectives and mission statement drove Sonangol to establish approximately 30 subsidiaries and joint-venture companies in order to carry out its activities in the oil industry subsidiaries such as:

• Sonangol SGPS - a drilling services company
• Sonasing - a joint-venture service company for the packaging and storage of crude.

As a state-owned company, Sonangol aims to promote the creation of new jobs, the acquisition of technology and the development of expertise within national companies. To support emerging national companies in the oil industry, Sonangol, in partnership with the foreign oil companies in Angola, has established a 50 million dollar fund to foster local enterprises.

Based on the same reasoning, the Angolan government has established laws that legislate in favor of capable local companies over foreign companies operating in the same field in Angola.

As part of corporate downsizing, Sonangol is planning the sub-contract of non-strategic business operations and activities from private companies in the near future.