The Namibian Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) proposes a project to improve rangeland conditions in the northern communal areas (NCA). It is further assumed that this will lead to improved production of livestock and therefore livelihoods of farmers. Since it is known that some NCA livestock owners use rangelands in southern Angola and that cross-border trade has an impact of the economy of the NCA, it was considered useful that an understanding be obtained of farming and rural economies in southern Angola. The work reported here attempts to add to that understanding.