$700 Million Trans-Cunene Railway Project to Link Angola and Namibia

$700 Million Trans-Cunene Railway Project to Link Angola and Namibia

The $700 million “Trans-Cunene” railway project, aimed at connecting Angola and Namibia, was presented last Thursday to the Provincial Government of Namibe by Namibian company Global Business Development (GBD).

Harold Luttichau, head of the consortium, outlined the project, which includes building a new 400-kilometer railway from Lubango to Cunene and rehabilitating the existing line between Lubango and Moçâmedes. The project is expected to be completed within 15 months.

“This rail link will benefit not only Angola and Namibia but also four neighboring countries. The Port of Namibe will serve as the main hub for transported goods,” Luttichau explained, emphasizing that the project will create jobs, prioritize local communities, and boost economic activity in the Southern Region Corridor.

Francisco Mário, delegate of Moçâmedes Railways (CFM), highlighted the importance of the project for transport development in the Namibe region and for strengthening trade within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Domingos Delfim, executive director of the Port of Namibe, added that the Trans-Cunene project will be integrated into the Moçâmedes Bay requalification, expected to triple cargo volume at the port once completed in November 2025. Currently, 90% of goods handled at the port are for export.