lever for the diversification of the Angolan economy. It is estimated that an annual investment of 1.4% of GDP
is needed to close the existing deficit in transportation and logistics infrastructure. The public-private
concessions already completed have generated over US$300 million in concession premiums and over US$1.3
billion in associated investments for Angola.
Historical Context of Infrastructure in Angola
The evolution of logistics and transportation infrastructure in Angola is directly linked to its historical context,
from the colonial era to the challenges and advances of the post-independence period. According to Pereira, J.
(1999), from the colonial period until Portuguese colonization in 1975, infrastructure construction focused on
the exploitation of natural resources and connecting productive areas to ports for export. Major projects included:
the construction of railways such as the Benguela Railway (CFB), essential for the export of minerals from the
central region; the development of strategic ports (Luanda, Lobito, Namibe) for the transport of agricultural and
mineral products; and the implementation of a rudimentary road network connecting some major cities. Although
some infrastructure was built, its primary objective was to serve colonial interests, with little concern for the
country's internal development (Pimentel, 1990).
In the post-independence and civil war period, from 1975 to 2002, Angola faced a devastating civil war that had
a significant impact on the country's infrastructure. During this period, existing infrastructure was destroyed or
dismantled (Pereira, 2005). The main features were infrastructure destruction, which resulted in the destruction
of roads, railways, ports, and bridges; regional isolation, where the areas most affected by the war, such as the
interior and east of the country, became increasingly isolated, hindering the transportation and circulation of
goods; as well as dependence on imports, caused by the destruction of internal infrastructure, Angola became
heavily dependent on imports for essential goods (Lopes, 2007).
Regarding the period of reconstruction and expansion from 2002 to 2014, history tells that after the end of the
civil war in 2002, Angola began a vast program to rebuild its infrastructure, driven by resources from oil and
financed, in large part, by loans from international partners, especially China (Santos, 2013). According to
Chaves, F. (2011), the main characteristics focused on the following actions: Rehabilitation of railways and
highways, with a focus on the reconstruction of the Benguela Railway (CFB) and the expansion of national roads
were fundamental to improving connectivity and facilitating trade;
Port and airport development, with the Port of Luanda being modernized and new airports, such as Luanda
International Airport, undergoing expansion, as well as major urban projects, with the government investing in
the construction of new cities and urban infrastructure, such as the central hubs in Luanda. Finally, a period of
diversification and sustainability emerged from 2015 to 2024, when Angola began to face the oil crisis and seek
new ways to diversify its economy (Moreira, 2018). In this context, infrastructure began to be seen as a driver
of sustainable growth and greater regional integration.
Below are the main characteristics, as listed (Lima, 2020):
• Development of logistics corridors: The Lobito Corridor was a key project to improve access to regional
markets, connecting Angola with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia.
• Innovations in the transport sector: The modernization of ports, railways and urban transport networks
has been combined with digitalization and the use of logistics management technologies.
• Urban mobility: Expansion of public transport systems in major cities, especially in Luanda.
Therefore, the historical context of infrastructure in Angola reflects the transition from a colonial model of
exploitation to a post-war reconstruction effort and, more recently, a focus on diversification and economic
sustainability, where the role of infrastructure in Angola's economic growth has been central, especially with
regard to logistics and transportation, which are essential for connectivity and regional and international
integration, attracting more investors.