Since the Angolan civil war ended nine years ago, the country has become a vast construction site, as national and international investors attempt to rebuild the country. As a consequence, Angola’s construction industry has been one of the best performers in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of real growth rates over recent years. This is further spurred by the Angolan government which is investing heavily in the country’s infrastructure.
Ger & Partner Ltd is one construction company tasked with managing major projects in the government’s reconstruction programme. Established 10 years ago, the company can today boast a healthy work portfolio worth $50 million, and a workforce of more than 300.
“Completing our projects is the most rewarding aspect for us as a company.” Joao Ignacio Nicacio Gomez, President of
Ger & Partners |
“Ger & Partners was created 10 years or so ago,” said Joao Ignacio Nicacio Gomez, president of the company. “We started at the bottom with some small change in our pockets and began slowly building up our business. Today I am happy to say we are involved in many major infrastructure projects in Angola and employ hundreds of people. Our main clients are the government and private sector companies.
“Presently we are building a new administration building and a new police station in Muxima as well as various other projects in Muxima. We have in the past built the Catete Administration Building and have just finished the BPC balcony in Catete too. Completing our projects are the most rewarding aspects for us as a company. For example, finishing the Administration Building of Catete was a very proud moment for me. It was a historical building that had to be pulled down and rebuild in the exact same way, it was inaugurated 5 or 6 years ago.”
“The construction sector is highly important for the future of Angola – it is building an excellent roads system, improving and constructing bridges, employing people and building homes,” said Mr Gomez.
“For example, I would say that the roads are the spine of our economy. Today, the road system has improved greatly and as a consequence, farmers in rural areas can sell their produce far more easily – something they could not do before.
“Also, the government has placed great emphasis on prioritizing education, and therefore more schools are being constructed as a result.”
Mr Gomez emphasised that more work and investment needs to be carried to have all the infrastructure in Angola up to speed, including the building of dams.
“ The creation of more dams would mean that more and more people would have access to electricity. The government say they plan to invest $14 billion to electrify the country. It is a worthy challenge because the electrification will solve many problems in Angola.”
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