Chamwe Kaira
Angola’s Ministry of Transport has launched a public tender for the concession to operate, manage, and maintain the Namibe Corridor, which includes plans for a future railway connection with Namibia.
The tender invites interested bidders to submit proposals by 4 May 2026.
The concession will run for an initial period of 30 years, with the option to extend it to 50 years.
The concession covers the Moçâmedes–Menongue railway line and includes rolling stock, railway infrastructure, workshops, and a training centre.
It also allows for the design and construction of new sections, extensions, and branch lines, including a rail link to Namibia and, at a later stage, to Zambia.
Angola’s secretary of state for land transport, Jorge Bengue, said the tender offers a major opportunity for experienced international railway operators.
“The Namibe Corridor has the potential to strengthen Angola’s role as a regional logistics platform, enhance supply chains, foster new investments, and increase the competitiveness of exports. We anticipate a dynamic tender process with strong participation from established industry operators,” Bengue said.
He said Angola has implemented reforms in recent years to improve legal certainty and create a more competitive business environment. Bengue pointed to the Lobito Corridor concession as proof of the country’s ability to attract private investment and modernise transport infrastructure.
The tender is open to individual companies or consortiums with proven experience in railway infrastructure management and freight operations.
Detailed technical and financial requirements are contained in the tender documents, which are available for a fee of US$20 000 at the exchange rate set by the National Bank of Angola at the time of purchase.
The Namibe Corridor encompasses the 855-kilometre Moçâmedes Railway and the Port of Namibe. Together, they form a key logistics route for exporting minerals, agricultural products, ornamental stones, and other goods.
The corridor has a theoretical capacity of up to five million tonnes per year and is positioned to serve landlocked countries in the region.
It links with other major trade routes, including the Lobito and Walvis Bay corridors.
The project also supports tourism and regional integration and strengthens Angola’s role in linking Atlantic and Indian Ocean trade routes.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa has contributed US$100 million toward the project.
The total project cost is US$600 million and is financed through a Japanese-backed export credit agreement, supported by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Caption
Angola’s Namibe Corridor is expected to include a future railway connection to Namibia.
- Photo: Contributed
