The Benguela Railway was one of the most significant infrastructure projects for mobility developed during Portuguese colonial rule in Angola. Construction of the railway took place between 1883 and 1931, with the main objective being to establish a transport network connecting the port of Lobito in Angola to the mineral-rich Katanga region in southern former Belgian Congo. Although the construction was overseen by Pauling’s, an English contracting company, it consistently received substantial support from the colonial state, particularly with regard to labour recruitment. A substantial body of research has been conducted into the political, economic, social and territorial impacts of the Benguela Railway. The project facilitated significant inter-imperial connections and the establishment of new settlements along the route, creating an important transportation corridor serving a large area extending over 1,800 kilometres. However, the contribution of the thousands of African workers who participated in constructing this railway line and associated buildings remains to be evaluated. This presentation examines the impact of African workers on building sites, mobile yards and construction tasks along the Benguela Railway. The range of people involved included British, Portuguese and Greek contractors and engineers, as well as African, Chinese and Indian labourers, artisans and porters, all of whom had different skills and expectations. This paper will explore the various skills developed by these workers, as well as changes in the discourse surrounding these skills over time and in different geographical locations. What insights can be gained by adopting a more nuanced perspective that extends beyond the colonial- rooted dichotomy of skilled versus unskilled labour? The research will draw from various sources, including company and colonial inspector reports, drawings and photographs.

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