AFC Disburses €75M to Angola for 186 Bridges & Road Network Upgrade

In a significant boost to Angola’s infrastructure landscape, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has successfully closed and disbursed €75 million of an €85 million sovereign facility to the Government of Angola, through the Ministry of Finance, to support the construction of 186 priority bridges and critical upgrades to the national road network. This strategic initiative forms a cornerstone of Angola’s National Development Plan (2023–2027) and aims to transform the country’s transport sector into a resilient, inclusive, and efficient system.

The investment is designed to reduce transportation costs, improve rural and agricultural market access, and create nearly 900 direct jobs, all while enhancing the physical and economic integration of underserved regions within Angola and across Southern and Central Africa.

A Comprehensive Infrastructure Financing Effort

This disbursement marks a significant advancement in the larger €381.5 million financing package announced earlier, showcasing AFC’s unique role as both sole arranger and financier of this sovereign facility. The full financing structure comprises:

• AFC as mandated lead arranger for the commercial tranche

• U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) and U.S. Private Export Funding Corporation (PEFCO) leading the export credit agency (ECA) tranche

• Standard Chartered Bank serving as the coordinating and structuring bank

• Conduril, a prominent Portuguese civil engineering company, as the main EPC contractor

• Acrow Corporation, a U.S.-based infrastructure firm, as the bridge technology supplier

Together, these partners are delivering a holistic, multi-faceted infrastructure initiative with long-term impact for Angola’s economic development and regional integration.

Catalytic Impact on Angola’s Transport Ecosystem

According to Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC:

“We are proud to advance this catalytic investment that will connect underserved regions, enhance regional trade, and improve the quality of life for millions of Angolans. This disbursement demonstrates AFC’s unique capacity to structure and fund impactful infrastructure projects that address critical national priorities and accelerate economic transformation.”

The 186 bridges to be constructed across the country are pivotal for bridging gaps in the transportation grid, ensuring that rural communities, agricultural producers, and small businesses gain improved access to urban markets, public services, and logistical hubs.

Climate Resilience and Regional Trade Integration

The initiative is aligned with AFC’s mission of delivering climate-resilient infrastructure. The project will:

• Mitigate vulnerability of Angola’s road infrastructure to climate change-induced disruptions

• Reduce travel times significantly, improving logistics reliability

• Enhance trade corridors and cross-border infrastructure, boosting regional integration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

The improved infrastructure is expected to be a game changer for agricultural supply chains, small-scale traders, and regional logistics operators, thereby creating a multiplier effect on employment and economic output.

Angola’s National Development Plan: Inclusive and Sustainable Vision

This investment is fully integrated into Angola’s National Development Plan (PND) 2023–2027, which emphasizes:

• Rural and regional connectivity

• Inclusive economic growth

• Resilient infrastructure for climate adaptation

• Promotion of export-led growth

The government aims to modernize transport infrastructure to enable Angola’s transformation into a logistics and trade hub for Southern and Central Africa. The road and bridge upgrades are seen as critical infrastructure to support agricultural modernization, poverty reduction, and regional competitiveness.

AFC’s Continental Role in Infrastructure Development

This transaction further reinforces AFC’s stature as a leading pan-African infrastructure solutions provider. With a growing portfolio of high-impact projects, AFC continues to be a trusted partner for African governments seeking bankable, climate-aligned, and commercially viable infrastructure solutions.

By leveraging blended finance, technical expertise, and strategic partnerships, AFC is catalyzing development projects that unlock economic potential and address the continent’s most pressing infrastructure deficits.

Looking Ahead

As construction commences, the Angola bridges and roads project is expected to serve as a regional model for effective sovereign financing, public-private partnerships, and sustainable development. It reflects a powerful convergence of policy will, private investment, and multilateral cooperation—the hallmarks of Africa’s emerging infrastructure renaissance.