GE was awarded a contract by AEnergia in early 2015 to supply 100 of the six-axle 1067mm-gauge locomotives, which are equipped with 12-cylinder 2.2MW FDL12 diesel engines. Key features of the C30 ACi for Angola include ac-ac traction, an electronic airbrake system and driver-machine interface screens in both English and Portuguese. The locomotives have a maximum speed of 100km/h and a 21-tonne axleload.

The order is being financed through a $US 429.5m loan agreement with Export Development Canada (EDC), which was signed last year.

The locomotives will be deployed on the 907km Moçâmedes Railway between Menongue and Namibe on the Atlantic coast, and the 1344km Benguela Railway (CFB), which runs from Luau on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo to Lobito on the Atlantic Coast.
Assembly is taking place at GE’s plant in Erie, Pennsylvania, which is also building 55 ES43 ACi locomotives for Pakistan Railways.