He was one of Kongo's most powerful and important kings, who succeeded his father Álvaro I, but not until resolving a dispute with his brother.

Both sides brought armies to M'banza-Kongo (São Salvador) but to avoid bloodshed they agreed to single combat, won by Álvaro.

Álvaro faced serious problems with other nobles besides his brother, and in 1590–91 was racked by a serious, though poorly documented civil war.

In order to reestablish his authority, Álvaro had to accept the virtual independence of Miguel, the count of Soyo.

Kongo's relations with Portuguese Angola worsened during Álvaro's reign, and he complained bitterly about the behaviour of the governors to the King of Spain (then also ruling Portugal during the period of the Iberian Union).