A Luanda court has extended legal protections for Angola’s Farm Line railway project for an additional 90 days amid mounting legal and operational challenges.
The decision, issued yesterday by a commercial court judge, maintains a stay on any creditor claims and halts enforcement actions while a government-led review of the project is underway.
The Farm Line—also known as the “Linha de Fazendas”—is a planned agricultural rail corridor designed to connect key farming zones in eastern Angola with port infrastructure along the Atlantic coast. It has faced delays due to land disputes, funding shortfalls, and criticism over potential environmental and community impact.
With the extended safeguards in place, the national railway authority and ministries involved will now have approved time to:
Finalize land-access agreements with local communities, ensuring fair compensation and resettlement terms.
Respond to creditor concerns and renegotiate outstanding commercial contracts.
Complete environmental and social impact assessments required for international financing approvals.
A court-appointed monitor has been mandated to oversee progress, report at 30-day intervals, and alert the court if deadlines are missed or serious issues emerge.
Government officials welcomed the extension, describing it as crucial to preserving the viability of a key infrastructure investment pending full project clearance. “We must give this corridor a chance to fulfil its potential while demonstrating respect for law, community interests, and environmental responsibility,” said a transport ministry spokesperson.
Project critics have expressed concerns about potential mismanagement and lack of oversight. However, the court’s balanced approach preserving creditor rights in the medium term while allowing official reviews has been viewed as a constructive path forward.
The court will review the project’s progress before the deadline in mid-September, determining whether the protections should be lifted, extended, or transformed into structured resolution procedures.
