Angolan President João Lourenço has authorised a $500 million public investment aimed at transforming the country’s coastal tourism infrastructure.

The directive, formalised through Executive Orders No. 32/26 and 33/26, focuses on developing integrated infrastructure in high-potential tourism regions, including Cabo Ledo, Quicombo, and Namibe.

The investment will be financed through external funding provided by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and forms a key part of the government’s “Planifica Turismo” programme. The initiative is designed to address longstanding infrastructure gaps that have hindered international tourism development.

In a statement released Wednesday, Minister of Tourism Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel confirmed that the project will prioritise critical upgrades such as access roads, water supply systems, sanitation, electricity, telecommunications, and public lighting.

The development covers a strategic coastal corridor that includes Pipas Bay (Saco Mar), Tômbwa Bay, and Três Irmãos Bay in Moçâmedes, as well as Quicombo Bay in Cuanza Sul.

“These initiatives fall under the Planifica Turismo programme, approved last year, which sets out measures for tourism planning and territorial organisation. The programme aims to improve accessibility, safety, urban functionality, and overall attractiveness in areas with high tourism potential, creating favourable conditions for private investment,” the minister said.

According to the government, inadequate basic infrastructure has been a major obstacle to unlocking the tourism potential of these regions, despite growing interest from both local and international investors.

The project builds on Angola’s recent tourism reforms, including its recognition as the Best Tourism Investment Destination by the Global Tourism Forum in 2025. The strategic rebranding of the country, supported by international investment expert Julia Kleber, CEO and Co-founder of Kleber Group, has also contributed to renewed global attention.

By investing in essential services, the government aims to reduce entry costs for private developers, enhance destination competitiveness, create jobs, and improve living standards in surrounding communities.