The government of Angola plans to build a national railway network linking the country’s three current railways, the Minister for Transport said quoted by local media.

Minister Augusto Tomás said the project includes construction of a number of logistics platforms along the route of the new line now being planned.

The government plans to build a line between Baía and the new international airport in the capital Luanda, the minister said, cited by daily newspaper Jornal de Angola.

Mr Tomás also mentioned construction of the northern railway, between Luanda, Uige and Mbanza Congo, with a subsequent link to the port of Soyo and the connection between the Benguela railway and the eastern border with Zambia.

This extension provides a connection to Zambia and transportation of ore from the region of the copper mines to international markets via the ore terminal at the port of Lobito.