The World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD) have signed a USD500 million financing agreement for the Bita drinking water project in Angola.   

The agreement was signed in Luanda by the Angolan Minister of Finance, the World Bank regional director, and the director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Angola. The project will supply drinking water from Bita to Luanda, which will benefit 7.5 million people in Luanda and its surroundings. The project requires a total investment of USD900 million.   

The drinking water project involves the construction of a 260,000 m³ drinking water plant in Bita, located 40 km from Luanda. The plant will operate through an intake installed in the Kwanza River. In addition, 82 km of water mains will be placed to supply four new distribution lines in service areas south of Luanda, which are Cabolombo, Mundial, Ramiros and Bita. Water mains will be extended to supply two existing distribution centers in the suburbs of Luanda.   

The consortium responsible for the project implementation is formed by Suez, Mota Engil, and Soares da Costa.