Angolan President João Lourenço has authorised the signing of a financing agreement between the Angolan state and British global bank HSBC Bank Plc, valued at over one billion euros, for the construction of the Luena-Saurimo segment of the Benguela Railway, according to state news agency Lusa.
Presidential Dispatch No. 269/26, dated 5 August, authorises ‘the conclusion of the financing agreement between the Angolan state and HSBC Bank Plc, acting as arranger, coordinator and agent, as well as the financial institutions comprising the creditor syndicate, with coverage from export credit agencies UKEF, KUKE and ATRADIUS.’
According to the document, the financing agreement comprises three credit lines: up to €250 million covered by the UK export credit agency UKEF; up to €290 million covered by the Polish export credit agency KUKE; and up to €125 million covered by the Dutch export credit agency ATRADIUS.
A further financing agreement between Angola and HSBC Bank Plc — acting as arranger for the institutions comprising the creditor syndicate — was also authorised, amounting to €142.2 million. This tranche is intended to finance the down payment corresponding to 15% of the value of the commercial contract for the Luena-Saurimo construction project.
The document states that the strategic expansion of the Benguela Railway has led the Angolan government to prioritise the construction of the Luena-Saurimo rail branch, covering 260 kilometres and connecting Luena in Moxico province to Saurimo in Lunda Sul province.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/08/10/mundo/angola/angola-governo-autoriza-financiamento-superior-a-mil-m-para-troco-luena-saurimo/
