Luanda: President Joo Louren§o inaugurated on Friday the Mo§Smedes Bay Integrated Development Project, which includes the expansion and modernization of the Sacomar Commercial and Mineral Port and the construction of a new container terminal. This project is seen as a strategic initiative to enhance national export and import capabilities.

According to Angola Press News Agency, the project is valued at US$600 million and is financed by the Toyota Tsusho Corporation consortium. This is part of a partnership between Angola and Japan, aimed at modernizing port capacity in the southern region. The project seeks to position the Port of Namibe among the country’s top three ports, alongside those of Luanda and Lobito.

Eighty-five percent of the financing was secured by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and international banks, with the remaining 15 percent provided by regional and commercial partners, including the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). Construction began in September 2022, after thorough geological and environmental assessments, and was completed in September 2025, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of National Independence.

The first phase involved constructing the new Sacomar Mineral Terminal jetty, which is 550 meters long and 18 meters wide. This facility can accommodate vessels up to 250,000 DWT and handle 10 million tons per year.

The new container terminal is designed to handle millions of tons of goods, increasing loading and unloading capacity and alleviating the existing multipurpose terminal. It features a 288-meter pier with a 14-meter draft, capable of docking ships up to 50,000 tons. Additionally, the logistics park spans over six hectares, offering space for 3,000 TEU containers and areas for refrigerated cargo, bulk handling, and secure storage.