The cotton industry was once of vital importance to the national economy, but the years of the Angola Civil War have badly stagnated it.

Agriculture in Malanje Province is gradually taking off again, and numerous international investors have been involved, including US$30 million from Brazil to develop the maize and sugarcane industry in the Pungo Andongo area.

[7] Malanje Province is also a producer of cassava, sweet potatoes, peanuts, rice, soybeans, sunflowers and various vegetables.

The province also has significant reserves of diamonds, limestone, manganese (with 4,682 metric tons exported in 1973),[8] uranium and phosphate.

Tourism has become more important, largely due to its diverse natural attractions, including the Kalandula Falls, the black rock formation of Pungo Andongo, two nature reserves and the Cangandala National Park.