N100 road (Angola)

The N100 Road is a national route in Angola that spans approximately 1,800 kilometers along the coast. It stretches from Massabi, on the border with the Republic of Congo in the north, to Foz do Cunene, on the border with Namibia in the south. The road passes through the Cabinda exclave and cities such as Luanda, Benguela, and Moçâmedes, forming a north–south route.

N100 Road
Route information
Maintained by Angola National Highways Authority
Major junctions
North end	Massabi
South end	Foz do Cunene
Location
Country	Angola
Highway system
Transport in Angola

Route

Cabinda

The N100 originates on the border with the Republic of Congo in Angola's northern exclave of Cabinda, where it connects to the Congolese N4 road leading to Pointe-Noire. The road traverses 120 kilometers through Cabinda, running parallel to the coast and passing through a mix of forests and meadows on flat terrain. The entire Cabinda section is paved, including a stretch through the town of Cabinda, which features partial dual carriageways. South of Cabinda, the road reaches the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a dirt road continues to the nearby city of Muanda, connecting to the N1 road from Kinshasa.

Northern Angola

N100 road

The N100 begins in the city of Soyo, located 40 kilometers south of the Congo River's mouth in the Atlantic Ocean. Note that there is no bridge crossing the river in this region. The N'zeto-Soyo road runs parallel to or overlaps with the N100 between Soyo and N'Zeto, where it connects to the N210. The N100 crosses the mouth of the River Mebridege and continues southward, parallel to the Angolan coast, passing through a savannah region with scattered vegetation and low population density. The road is a modern, paved highway that intersects with the N220 at Ambriz. From there, the N100 becomes a fast, asphalted road that traverses the savannah to the capital city of Luanda, following a slightly inland route.

Luanda Region

N100 in Luanda

The N100 traverses approximately 80 kilometers through the urban area of Luanda, Angola's capital city. North of the city, it intersects with the N225. The route through Luanda features separate lanes, with 2x2 to 2x3 lanes, and passes through the city center. However, through traffic can opt for the Via Expresso as a bypass. The N100 proceeds past Luanda's port area, through the central district, and along the coast, passing through southern suburbs before rounding the Western Cape and exiting the urban area.

The N100 embarks on a lengthy southward journey, paralleling the coast, with varying distances to the shoreline. The coastal region is relatively sparsely populated, and the climate becomes increasingly arid and desert-like as you head south. The road remains paved until Tômbua, featuring a modern, wide carriageway suitable for higher speeds. The N100 serves key coastal cities such as Lobito, Benguela, and Moçâmedes, with some sections having dual carriageways. Major roads connect these cities to inland areas. As you progress south, the terrain transforms into a desert landscape, especially south of Lobito, with some mountainous sections featuring slopes and hairpin bends. The southernmost part of the route is a dirt road, initially resembling an improved dirt road but eventually becoming sandy tracks. The dirt road approaches the Kunene River bordering Namibia, although some maps suggest a route to the southwest towards Foz do Cunene, which does not exist. Notably, there is no border crossing with Namibia in the region.

History

Angolan roads in everyday routine

Angola's road network was underdeveloped during the Portuguese colonial era, with only a few sections paved, including the 400-kilometer stretch between Luanda and Sumbe, some urban areas, and a section from Moçâmedes to Tômbua in southern Angola. The Angolan Civil War further neglected or damaged the road network. Following the war's end in 2002, some sections were paved, particularly in the south, including the route to Benguela. Between 2009 and 2011, the 93-kilometer section from Moçâmedes to Tômbua was modernized. From 2010 to 2014, the road through Cabinda was fully paved to both borders, and the N'Zeto to Luanda route was also paved. Between 2010 and 2020, the road from Benguela to Moçâmedes was paved in phases, with the final sections north of Moçâmedes completed in 2020–2021. However, the upgrade remains incomplete, with some bridges still unfinished.

Between 2009 and 2017, the northern section of the N100, spanning N'Zeto to Soyo, was upgraded to the Autoestrada N'zeto-Soyo. The exact classification of this road, whether a motorway or a two-lane road, is unclear. While full connections may be lacking, the road traverses largely uninhabited areas with no alternative paved routes. The N100 holds significant importance as Angola's primary road, linking the capital to all major coastal cities and key export ports. Additionally, it connects the country's three isolated railway lines, underscoring its role in Angola's transportation infrastructure.

Upgrade in Luanda

The N100 serves as Luanda's primary urban road, connecting the city's north, center, port, and south. Prior to 2000, the road was mostly single-lane, with a brief double-lane section near the city center. In 2002, the first grade-separated intersection was introduced, featuring a viaduct over Rua Commandante Arguelles south of the city center. From 2004 onwards, the road south of this intersection was expanded to 2x2 lanes, later extended to modern apartment districts in 2009. Between 2008 and 2012, a new 2x3 lane road was constructed along the central waterfront, known as Avenida Marginal 4 de Fevereiro. From 2010 to 2013, the northern section of Luanda was widened to 2x3 lanes. Angola's oil revenues enabled these upgrades. In 2017, a new double-lane approach road with 2x3 lanes was built northeast of the city center, allowing traffic to bypass the port area. Additionally, the 54-kilometer Via Expressa Fidel Castro motorway was completed in 2010, serving as a bypass around Luanda and passing through much of the urban area.