The planned railway branch line will provide a direct connection between the Caála Logistics Platform and the Benguela Railway, linking the facility to the Lobito Corridor. The proposed terminal is designed to handle several freight categories, including general cargo, refrigerated containers, grain, minerals and dangerous goods. Its planned loading, shunting and transhipment facilities establish a defined rail interface for the logistics platform, which is being developed as a pilot project under Angola’s 2023–2027 Programme for the Development of the National Network of Logistics Platforms.
For railway contractors, engineering consultants and infrastructure suppliers, the announced procurement timetable identifies specific milestones ahead of construction. The construction supervision contract is scheduled for award on 16 November 2026, followed by the construction contract on 27 November and formal site handover on 22 December, subject to the required approvals. The railway works form part of a wider programme that includes access infrastructure and electrical supply, while the logistics platform itself is intended to be developed by a private consortium under a design, build, operate and transfer model.
- The Caála railway branch line will connect the logistics platform in Angola’s Huambo Province to the Benguela Railway (CFB) and the Lobito Corridor.
- Formal site handover for railway construction is scheduled for 22 December 2026, with completion planned for 24 February 2028.
- The proposed railway terminal will include loading and shunting tracks, transhipment facilities and cargo-handling infrastructure.
- The construction supervision contract is scheduled for award on 16 November 2026, followed by the construction contract on 27 November 2026.
- Separate construction packages cover access roads, supporting infrastructure, a substation and power lines.
- The Caála Logistics Platform is a pilot project under Angola’s 2023–2027 Programme for the Development of the National Network of Logistics Platforms.
The site handover for construction of the railway branch line and terminal serving Angola's Caála Logistics Platform is scheduled for 22 December 2026, with completion planned for 24 February 2028.
ARCCLA Executive Administrator Paula Bartolomeu presented the timetable on 5 October 2026 during the inauguration of an interim cold-storage facility in Huambo Province.
Three construction packages are planned:
Construction Package | Scheduled Site Handover | Planned Completion |
Railway branch line and terminal | 22 December 2026 | 24 February 2028 |
Infrastructure and access road | 25 January 2027 | 25 March 2028 |
Substation and power lines | 10 February 2027 | 10 April 2028 |
The railway branch line will connect the logistics platform to the Benguela Railway (CFB), providing access to the Lobito Corridor.
The proposed terminal will accommodate loading and shunting tracks, transhipment facilities, general cargo handling, refrigerated containers, a grain conveyor, heavy-vehicle parking and storage areas for minerals and dangerous goods.
Bids for the railway construction package were opened on 15 September. The construction supervision contract is scheduled for award on 16 November, followed by the construction contract on 27 November. Approval by the Court of Auditors is scheduled for 21 December.
Environmental and social procedures are progressing separately, including public consultation, compensation arrangements and environmental licensing.
The logistics platform itself is intended to be developed by a private consortium under a design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) model. Its formation is expected by the time construction of the railway branch line reaches 50% completion.
Caála is the pilot project under Angola's 2023–2027 Programme for the Development of the National Network of Logistics Platforms.
