Angola has taken a decisive step toward expanding its maritime infrastructure with the signing of two cooperation agreements in Tokyo, reinforcing its strategic partnership with Japan and advancing the long-planned Amboim Deepwater Port project.
The agreements were signed during President João Lourenço’s official visit to Japan, where he co-chaired the 9th Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD-9) in his capacity as African Union Chair.
Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu, formalised the memoranda with Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toa Corporation, and CFAO Mobility Angola.
Why Amboim Matters
The proposed development at Porto Amboim, in Cuanza Sul Province, is designed to relieve pressure on Angola’s existing ports and serve as a new logistics gateway for central and southern regions. With deepwater capacity, it will accommodate larger vessels and bulk cargo, supporting Angola’s ambitions to diversify its economy beyond oil and strengthen its export base.
Feasibility studies — technical, economic, and environmental — were completed in May 2025 under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport. The new agreement sets the stage for detailed engineering assessments, financing models, and a future Design & Build contract.
The port is expected to:
• Enhance Angola’s competitiveness in regional and global trade
• Improve access to hinterland markets and reduce logistics costs
• Attract private investment in maritime and industrial sectors
• Support trans-shipment and bulk handling capacity along the Atlantic coast
Skills for Mobility: CFAO Academy Angola
In parallel, a second agreement was signed to establish the CFAO Academy Angola in Talatona, Luanda. Backed by CFAO Mobility Angola — Toyota’s local representative — the academy will train professionals in automotive and transport-related fields, aligning with Angola’s broader goals for workforce development and mobility modernisation.
Minister D’Abreu described both initiatives as “structural projects” that underpin Angola’s national strategy for economic diversification, logistics reform, and human capital development.
A Proven Partnership
Toyota Tsusho, Toa Corporation, and CFAO Mobility Angola have previously collaborated with Angola’s Ministry of Transport on the Namibe Bay Integrated Development Project, which has been cited as a model for infrastructure delivery.
The newly signed memoranda, valid for 24 months, outline frameworks for joint technical work and reinforce Angola’s role as a strategic partner for Japan in Africa. The agreements are built on principles of transparency, cooperation, and technical rigour.
Sidebar: Namibe Bay – Angola’s Southern Gateway Reimagined
The Namibe Bay Integrated Development Project is one of Angola’s flagship port infrastructure initiatives, aimed at revitalising the southern maritime corridor and supporting national economic diversification.
Located in Namibe Province, the project comprises:
• 🏗️ Expansion of the Port of Namibe container terminal
• ⚒️ Rehabilitation of the Sacomar iron ore export terminal
• 🚉 Integration with the Moçâmedes Railway for inland cargo movement
Sacomar, once a key export point for iron ore from the Kassinga mines, was devastated during Angola’s civil war.
Its restoration is central to unlocking mineral exports and reducing dependence on oil.
The adjacent Namibe container terminal is being extended to handle increased cargo volumes and support agro-industry, timber, and tourism.
Backed by Japanese financing — including support from JBIC and Sumitomo Mitsui — the USD 600 million project is part of Angola’s National Development Plan and aligns with SADC’s North–South Corridor strategy.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) contributed USD 100 million in upfront capital, helping the project reach financial close.
Together with the proposed Amboim Deepwater Port, Namibe forms part of a broader effort to modernise Angola’s port network, improve hinterland connectivity, and position the country as a competitive maritime hub in West Africa.
