Angola: People to watch in 2012 - Manuel Vicente, Chairman, Sonangol

After more than a decade as chairman of Angola's state oil company, Sonangol, Vicente is tipped as a possible presidential successor to José Eduardo dos Santos in the next election.

Vicente has already said he plans to step down from Sonangol "shortly" but has not confirmed the rumours about his future.

Despite becoming a member of the ruling Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA) politburo in 2010, Vicente lacks the support of the party's traditionalists.

Although well-respected within the oil industry for his stewardship of Sonangol (which last year turned profits of more than $3bn), Vicente's friendship with Dos Santos and opaque business dealings make him less popular domestically.

This article was first published in the November edition of The Africa Report, on sale at newsstands, via our print subscription or our digital edition.