More than half of Angola’s national road network (58.7%) is not paved, the Minister of Public Works, Urbanism and Housing said today, addressing the challenges of maintaining and preserving the country’s paved roads.
Carlos dos Santos announced that Angola’s Road Plan estimates the country has a road network of approximately 79,300 kilometers, including 27,600 kilometers of national roads — only about 41% of which are paved — and 51,700 kilometers of municipal roads.
“In this context, the national road network currently has more than 11,400 kilometers paved, representing about 41.3% of the total length of national roads, which highlights the challenge of maintaining and preserving this asset,” the minister stated.
Speaking at the opening of the International Seminar on Road Concessions, taking place in the Angolan province of Benguela, the minister also noted that Angola views its road network as one of the drivers of economic development.
He added that investments are underway to modernize roads in line with international standards, emphasizing that Angolan authorities see road concessions as a “strategic instrument to mobilize private financing, accelerate structural projects, and ensure sustainable maintenance and preservation.”
According to the Minister of Public Works, public-private partnerships and concession models are also strategic tools to achieve the goals set out in the National Development Plan (NDP 2023–2027).
The minister stated that holding the seminar demonstrates the country’s clear interest in mobilizing private financing for public infrastructure, reducing pressure on the Angolan state’s financial resources through the General State Budget, ensuring operational efficiency, and guaranteeing sustainable maintenance of road infrastructure.
He also announced that studies and projects are already underway for the construction of the future north-south highway, with support from the construction company China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) Angola — a “strategic axis” that will connect Angola from north to south.
He further highlighted that Angola will soon sign a memorandum with a consortium of financial entities to begin studies and projects for the construction of the west-east highway, which he stressed will be a “true road corridor from Lobito spanning more than 1,300 kilometers.”
Meanwhile, the political adviser and representative of the Portuguese Embassy in Angola, Tânia Saraiva, stated in her remarks that investment in infrastructure — particularly in the road network — is a fundamental pillar for territorial cohesion, economic dynamism, regional integration, and improving citizens’ quality of life.
“Discussing models, learning from international and regional experiences, and adapting best practices to the Angolan reality is an exercise in responsibility and strategic vision,” she emphasized. She also noted that Angola is “going through a decisive moment in managing its road assets,” and that the concession model represents “a commitment by any government to sustainability and efficiency, seeking in the private sector a strategic partner for the maintenance and protection of roads.”
The International Seminar on Road Concessions is a joint initiative of the National Roads Institute of Angola (INEA), Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP Engenharia), and the European Union in Angola.
Lusa, 02/12/2026
