China Eximbank provides $38 million for Provincial Fixed-line Telecommunications Expansion and Modernization Project

Project narrative

In 2005, China Eximbank signed a $38 million loan agreement with the Government of Angola for the Provincial Fixed-line Telecommunications Expansion and Modernization Project. The proceeds of the loan were to be used to finance 100% of a commercial contract signed on July 8, 2005 between ZTE Corporation and Angola's Mundo Startel. The project involved installation of new copper and wireless networks and 3,276 kilometers of fiber optic cable and 6,000 telephone lines in the following provinces: Malanje, Zaire, Bie, Moxico, Cuando Cubango, Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul. Some 1,392 VSAT lines were also to be installed, along with 761 ADSL links and 13,000 CDMA fixed lines. The project encountered multiple problems and delays, including minefields at work sites, heavy rainfall, and slow customs clearance of Chinese equipment and heavy rainfall in areas with difficult accesses. It was eventually completed but its precise implementation start and end dates are unknown.