Speaking at the opening of the 3rd Summit on Infrastructure Financing in Africa, held in Luanda and attended by policymakers, investors, and multilateral stakeholders, Angola’s President João Lourenço outlined the country’s growing infrastructure capacity, with particular reference to electricity generation and regional connectivity. The summit, which runs through the week, aims to facilitate dialogue and practical commitments toward infrastructure financing across African nations.
In his capacity as President and current Chair of the African Union, Lourenço stated that Angola has developed the capacity to meet its domestic energy needs and holds the potential to contribute surplus electricity to neighbouring states, conditional on the development of cross-border transmission infrastructure through public-private partnerships.
One of the key projects mentioned was the Caculo Cabaça Hydropower Dam, currently under construction, which is expected to add approximately 2,172 megawatts (MW) to the national grid. Alongside existing facilities and future projects—such as the proposed Baynes Dam, a joint undertaking with Namibia—Angola’s generation capacity could reach nearly 14,845 MW within the next two decades, according to projections cited during the summit.
However, Lourenço emphasised that the full realisation of this energy potential is contingent on investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure, particularly to ensure balanced access across the national territory. Plans to connect Cabinda province to the central grid via a submarine cable from Soyo were cited as a step toward redressing regional disparities in electricity provision.
The President stated that Angola is prepared to engage with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Central African countries in energy cooperation, provided that private and institutional investors are willing to contribute to the necessary cross-border infrastructure. These initiatives, he argued, should align with a broader commitment to regional and continental integration, rather than operate in isolation.
Beyond energy, Lourenço addressed national investments in water management, digital connectivity, and telecommunications infrastructure, including the expansion of Angola’s fibre optic network and the development of a new Earth observation satellite. These undertakings were framed as part of Angola’s medium-term strategy to improve service delivery, foster inclusive growth, and diversify economic opportunities.
Among the key corridors highlighted was the Lobito Corridor, a transnational transport route linking Angola to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The corridor, Lourenço noted, holds significance not only for Angola’s logistics capacity but for reducing maritime shipping times between continents and enhancing regional economic integration.
As Angola approaches the 50th anniversary of its independence in November 2025, the emphasis placed on infrastructure development was contextualised within a broader aspiration to strengthen regional cooperation frameworks. Lourenço’s remarks reflected ongoing discourse within African institutions on the need to approach infrastructure as a collective regional challenge, grounded in principles of mutual benefit, local ownership, and sustainable financing.
Rather than centring Angola’s progress in isolation, the summit presentations aligned with a growing emphasis on Africa’s agency in shaping its development path, beyond traditional donor-recipient models. The emphasis was placed on structural transformation, with infrastructure viewed as both a means of enhancing competitiveness and a vehicle for improved livelihoods.
While considerable progress has been made in sectors such as energy and transport, Lourenço acknowledged that long-term infrastructure financing remains a shared priority across the continent. He reiterated the need for solutions that transcend national boundaries and support platforms for pan-African cooperation and shared infrastructure governance.
The discussions in Luanda reflected broader shifts in African development discourse—towards narratives that foreground continental solidarity, investment coordination, and the creation of shared value from large-scale infrastructure projects. Angola’s evolving infrastructure strategy, though still facing challenges, was presented as one node in a larger continental ambition to enhance regional interconnectivity and economic resilience through African-led initiatives.
