Luanda: The Barra do Kwanza tax office is set to collect 80 million kwanzas monthly, following the introduction of new toll rates. The president of the Board of Directors of the Emergency Road Works Fund (FROE), Ana Cristina da Costa, revealed this information in Luanda with the enforcement of new toll rates across Angola.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the implementation of the new rates at Barra do Kwanza is expected to double the previous collection of 40 million kwanzas. Presidential Decree No. 147/26, issued on August 18, specifies tolls ranging from 250 to 85,000 kwanzas, contingent upon the vehicle's class and gross weight. The anticipated monthly revenue signifies a 200 percent increase. Da Costa clarified that the new rates are determined by the vehicle classification based on weight.
"These revenues will not be sufficient to cover the maintenance and upkeep of our roads," she noted. Additionally, the construction of the Xangongo toll plaza in Cunene is underway, with a projected completion date of March 2027. She assured that border crossings are ready to operate under the new tariffs and mentioned an existing program for infrastructure maintenance within the Public Works sector.
Despite the updated tariffs, she emphasized that Angola maintains the lowest rates within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Iracelmo Tigre, coordinator of the Barra de Kwanza toll plaza, reported a daily passage of approximately two thousand vehicles, with mixed reactions from motorists on the rate changes. Payments are processed via Automatic Payment Terminal (POS), with cash payments deposited at banks if debit cards are unavailable.
Motorists traveling through the non-border crossing of Barra do Kwanza expressed that the revenue from the new toll fees should be allocated to national road improvements. Speaking to ANGOP, driver Fernando Joo acknowledged the government's initiative but criticized the increased rates at non-border tolls as "exorbitant." He highlighted his previous payment of two thousand kwanzas, now raised to seven thousand kwanzas, and expressed a desire for the funds to be used transparently for road maintenance.
Lucas Gouveia voiced optimism that the revenue would lead to significant improvements, expressing gratitude to the government and hope for visible results from the new investment. The new toll rates on the National Road Network took effect on Friday (18), with non-border fees ranging from 250 kwanzas for small motorcycles to seven thousand kwanzas for heavy vehicles.
The new rates are part of the Toll Booth Installation Plan, sanctioned by the Angolan Executive via Presidential Decree No. 13/25, on January 22. Presently, Angola hosts non-border toll points, including Barra do Kwanza and Serra da Leba in Hula. The phased program for border toll booths aims at road sustainability, with the first phase targeting borders such as Massabi (Cabinda) and others, while the second phase will expand to additional regions like Miconje (Cabinda) and Calueque (Cunene).
The legislative enactment strengthens the dissemination of new toll collection rules and operational criteria for toll booths, reinforcing the country's road infrastructure strategy.
