UKEF supports construction of a specialist burns hospital in Angola

UKEF, which is the UK’s export credit agency, has signed a deal with the Angolan Ministry of Finance to bolster trade ties between the two countries. The deal is backed by Standard Chartered and Lloyds banks.

The terms of the deal mean that 40% of the project will be fulfilled by suppliers that have a UK registered office – totalling more than £50m in potential export opportunities for domestic businesses, the government believes.

A contract has been awarded to ASGC UK, the British arm of Dubai-based Al Shafar General Contracting Company, as management contractor. ASGC will be responsible for securing the 40% of UK exports which will include building materials, electrical equipment and medical supplies.

The contract is the latest in a series of financing deals between Standard Chartered and the Angolan Ministry of Finance. “We’re very proud to help support a project that makes such a difference to local communities by providing improved healthcare services,” said Standard Chartered executive director Mustafa Sajjad Hussain.

“During 2022, we successfully handed over three new hospitals to the Ministry of Health – also supported by UK Export Finance,” said Paul Woodman, managing director of ASGC UK. “We are honoured that the same client has entrusted us to deliver another important healthcare facility for the people of Angola.”

UKEF chief executive Tim Reid said: “This support shows once again the leading role the UK plays when it comes to exporting world-leading expertise in project development and medical equipment. Working with the Angolan government and Standard Chartered Bank, we are proud to demonstrate how British ingenuity can enhance healthcare for communities abroad whilst helping UK businesses export their best-in-class goods and services.”

The UK government support will help improve the response to burns victims and improve overall medical capacity in the Kilamba region. The hospital will be a seven-storey, 250-bed facility with a dedicated ward for the treatment of burns, as well as general healthcare provision, including accident and emergency, palliative care, pathology services, infection control and prevention and general, geriatric and paediatric clinics.

The project is part of the Angolan government’s National Development Plan for 2018-2022 and the hospital is expected to open after a five-year construction project.

UKEF assists international partners with project financing on major development projects in return for an agreed minimum UK content being guaranteed. In this way, UKEF activates the UK supply chain by connecting overseas project sponsors and buyers with UK exporters.

The three Angolan hospitals previously developed with support from UKEF, are the general hospital in Cabinda, the Mother & Child hospital in Camama and the Haematology Pediatric hospital in Luanda, Angola’s capital city.

In addition to this new development, these three projects will deliver over 550 beds and provide improved outpatients consultation, inpatient treatment, intensive care facilities and diagnostic capability in the region.

The construction has involved over 60 suppliers and subcontractors from the UK.

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