Chinese firm China Railway 20 Bureau Group Corporation has finished building a road connecting Catchiungo and Chinhama in the central Angolan province of Huambo, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese government-run news agency quotes Angolan Construction and Public Works Minister Manuel Tavares as expressing gratitude for the “tremendous effort and contribution” the contractor put into the project. Work on the road began in September 2016.

Mr Tavares said the road could help develop the economy of the region.

The road is 74.7 km long and cuts the journey time between Catchiungo and Chinhama to 1 hour 30 minutes from 15 hours, Xinhua says.