Luanda – The construction of the Soyo/Santa Clara highway, with a extension of 1400 kilometers, is in the process of preparing studies and projects necessary to support the launch of a public tender, in the form of Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
According to the Presidential Despatch No. 198/24 of 26 August, the Head of State, João Lourenço, authorizes the Ministry of Public Works, Urbanism and Housing to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the company China Road and Bridge Corporation, planning the construction of the first highway that will connect the South and North of Angola to neighboring countries, such as Namibia and Zambia.
The document confers competence on the Minister of Public Works, Urban Planning and Housing, Carlos dos Santos to carry out all decision-making and approval acts, including signing the memorandum with the possibility of sub-delegating these functions.
This authorization comes two months after the minister had a meeting with the business group China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), last June, in Macau.
The meeting aims to obtain an agreement in principle for formal analyzes and signing of a memorandum of understanding between the parties with a view to ensuring investment and projects for the construction of the aforementioned highway.
With a road network of 79,300 kilometers, of which 27,600 are specific national roads, Angola has more than 11,400 kilometers of paved roads, which represent around 41.3% of the total length of the national road network.
In terms of municipal roads, the country has 51,700 kilometers, with more than 15,100 kilometers currently paved, representing around 29% of the total length. QCB/VC/MRA/DOJ
