en.Wedoany.com Reported - On July 15, 2026, the Angolan Road Institute (INEA) and the Portuguese Infrastructure Company (IP) signed a memorandum of understanding this Wednesday, agreeing to technical cooperation in the field of road infrastructure in Angola.

The signing ceremony took place at IP's headquarters in Almada, Setúbal. The "EU-Angola Dialogue" project, funded by the European Union (EU), stated in a note sent to Lusa News Agency that the agreement is the result of a collaborative journey between the two institutions, culminating in the International Road Concession Workshop held in Lobito, Angola, in February this year. The project aims to support dialogue actions between Angola and European institutions to deepen the exchange of knowledge and best practices.

IP President Paulo Carmona emphasized during the signing ceremony that one of the objectives is to "fully leverage the Global Gateway," an EU program designed to develop new infrastructure in developing countries. Paulo Carmona added that these EU funds should be strategically utilized by Portuguese-speaking countries, especially Angola and Mozambique.

INEA President Henrique Victorino stated that this is a well-considered action, the culmination of a long journey marked by advances and setbacks. He believes it is now time for the two institutions to sign a legal instrument for cooperation.

Angola faces challenges in road network management, exacerbated by the need for network expansion, a shortage of public resources for maintenance, and an increase in extreme climate events. According to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Angola has a total road network of 80,000 kilometers, of which only about 30% is paved, below the Sub-Saharan African average. The World Bank warns that poor road quality in rural areas limits access to domestic and international markets.

To reverse this situation, the sector's 2030 plan projects a 142% increase in the asphalt road network, further highlighting the urgency of introducing the private sector through sustainable concession models.