AFC Catalyzes Angola’s Infrastructure Vision with €75 Million Boost.

Friday 25th July 2025

Par inAfrika Reporter

Africa Finance Corporation has disbursed €75 million to Angola as part of a sovereign facility to finance the construction of 186 priority bridges and upgrades to the national road network. The deal, part of a larger €85 million facility and a wider €381.5 million package, is a defining step in Angola’s National Development Plan for 2023 to 2027. It’s a move that blends infrastructure modernization with economic revitalization, positioning Angola for increased regional trade and improved domestic logistics.

The funding structure is complex but highly strategic. AFC served as the sole arranger and financier for this portion of the transaction, while Standard Chartered played a coordinating role. The involvement of U.S. Exim Bank through its export credit agency affiliate signals strong international confidence in the project. Portuguese engineering firm Conduril has been contracted as the main EPC provider, and U.S.-based Acrow is supplying the bridges.

This isn’t just road construction it’s a reengineering of national mobility. The expected outcome includes a measurable reduction in travel time, lower logistics costs, and broader access to markets for Angola’s agricultural sector. With approximately 900 direct jobs created in the process, the development brings both immediate and long-term value.

Samaila Zubairu, AFC’s President and CEO, emphasized that this investment reflects the Corporation’s commitment to solving Africa’s most urgent infrastructure gaps. “We are proud to advance this catalytic investment,” he said, pointing to the broader impact on regional trade corridors and underserved areas. The focus is not just on infrastructure for its own sake, but infrastructure that enhances resilience, connectivity, and economic inclusion.

Angola’s transport network has long faced challenges due to weather-related disruptions and decades of underinvestment. This new injection of capital is meant to build a more climate-resilient and efficient system that supports both domestic and cross-border movement. For farmers, it means easier access to urban markets. For logistics providers, it means faster, more reliable routes. And for citizens, it means shorter commutes and safer roads.

This disbursement also reflects AFC’s growing role as a trusted partner for African governments. The Corporation brings not just capital but technical know-how and structuring expertise. Projects of this magnitude require alignment between financiers, engineers, contractors, and state agencies. By taking on the mandate to lead the commercial financing side, AFC is helping Angola de-risk the project and attract additional external support.

Beyond immediate outcomes, the project has long-term strategic implications. Enhanced road networks are foundational to trade competitiveness. For a country like Angola that is looking to diversify its economy and move beyond oil dependency, efficient logistics are essential. This investment will form part of the backbone infrastructure needed to support sectors like manufacturing, agri-processing, and regional commerce.

In the broader context of Southern and Central Africa, these improvements contribute to integration goals set by the African Continental Free Trade Area. More efficient trade routes lead to more robust economic links, which in turn create greater stability and opportunity across borders.

AFC’s investment approach aligns with the institution’s focus on bankable, high-impact infrastructure. This project checks all the boxes: it’s technically feasible, socially inclusive, economically justified, and environmentally resilient. For Angola, it’s a powerful step toward realizing its development blueprint.