Luanda, Aug. 2, 2024 (Lusa) - Construction work on the Luanda Surface Metro will begin in 2025 and cover an initial 60 kilometres, according to the Angolan capital's mobility improvement programme, approved by presidential decree.

The Programme for the Improvement of Luanda's Urban Mobility (PRO-MMUL), approved by decree on 1 August that Lusa saw on Friday establishes immediate projects for 2024 and others for 2025.

According to the decree signed by President João Lourenço, the programme will be implemented in two phases, namely ‘mature projects’ with immediate start-up conditions in 2024 and projects that still need further studies and financing conditions scheduled for 2025.

For 2025, PRO-MMUL includes the construction, supply of equipment, signalling and supervision of the MSL, an infrastructure covering a total of 149 kilometres and estimated at $1.9 billion (1€.7 billion).

Construction of the MSL, the first phase of which comprises 60 kilometres on the Fidel de Castro Zona Verde Sequele route and the ZEE/Aeroporto Internacional António Agostinho Neto branch, will begin next year, with the engineering projects being developed in 2024.

Among the projects starting immediately are the sealing of 45 kilometres of the Bungo - International Airport railway section, the development of the urban bus transport system for the Estalagem/Kilamba/KK5000 section and the construction of five overpasses, with funding already available from Standard Chartered Bank.

PRO-MMUL recognises that Luanda faces serious mobility problems, above all due to the high demographic growth and movement that has strongly impacted the economic and social development of the resident population, more than 10 million inhabitants.

DYAS/ADB // ADB.

Lusa