SUEZ Launches €100 Million Water Supply Modernisation Project in Angola to Benefit 12 Million Residents

By Abbas Nazil

SUEZ, a global leader in water and waste management, has officially commenced the implementation of a €100 million contract to modernise the water supply systems in Angola’s provinces of Luanda, Icolo, and Bengo.

The initiative, launched in collaboration with Empresa Pública de Águas de Luanda (EPAL E. P.), the state-owned water utility, began execution in April 2025, although the agreement was originally signed in 2022.

The three-year project is expected to significantly improve access to clean and reliable drinking water for nearly 12 million people across the three provinces.

This large-scale project forms part of a wider national strategy by Angolan authorities to upgrade water infrastructure amid rising demand and the increasing impacts of climate change.

With water scarcity and poor distribution still affecting large parts of the country, the modernisation program seeks to not only increase water availability but also ensure quality and efficiency in service delivery.

One of the core components of the project is the expansion of water production capacity. This will be achieved through the rehabilitation and upgrading of five existing water treatment plants located in Luanda.

In addition, SUEZ will install three new Compact Units, further enhancing the system’s ability to meet growing demand.

These upgrades are designed to ensure a more consistent and higher-quality supply of potable water to residents and businesses alike.

Improving distribution efficiency is another key focus. SUEZ plans to introduce an advanced, real-time monitoring system that will provide intelligent oversight of the infrastructure and water network.

This technology will help detect and quickly address leaks, reduce water loss, and optimise resource management.

Such improvements are vital in a country where non-revenue water remains a major challenge.

The contract also includes the deployment of a customer service enhancement program. This involves the installation of 9,000 smart water meters, enabling customers to monitor their water consumption in real time.

A modernised billing system will also be introduced to streamline payments and improve transparency.

In a bid to ensure the long-term sustainability of these efforts, SUEZ has embedded a comprehensive capacity-building component into the contract.

Through the WIKTI methodology—developed by SUEZ—EPAL employees will undergo detailed competency assessments and receive tailored training programs aimed at enhancing individual and team performance across technical and administrative roles.

SUEZ’s relationship with Angola dates back to the 1970s, and the company has played a central role in developing the country’s water infrastructure.

Among its notable contributions is the rehabilitation of the Kifangondo water treatment plant in 2016.

Presently, SUEZ is overseeing the construction of the BITA water production plant, which is slated for completion by the end of 2026.

Demonstrating its long-term commitment, SUEZ and EPAL signed a new memorandum of understanding in January 2025, expressing a mutual interest in extending their cooperation beyond the current project’s timeframe and into at least 2028.