Overview
Colombia has made significant progress in infrastructure development over the past decade. Following the 2016 Peace Agreement, infrastructure emerged as a national priority, with a focus on enhancing connectivity, driving economic growth, and promoting social inclusion. This progress has been guided by strategic programs such as the Intermodal Transportation Master Plan (PMTI) introduced in 2016, the fourth generation (4G) program in 2013, and the fifth generation (5G) infrastructure initiative launched in 2021.
The 4G program, focused primarily on connecting industrial corridors to ports, included 29 major road projects and around 5,000 miles of dual carriageways. By the end of the Duque administration (2018–2022), approximately 66% of 4G projects were completed. The Petro administration, which began in 2022, is now advancing the 5G infrastructure portfolio, emphasizing environmental sustainability, rural inclusion, rail reactivation, and water management. Managed by the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), 5G includes more than 7,000 kilometers of planned roads to improve national logistics and reduce travel time.
Petro’s administration is also opening the door to new international partnerships, such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as a strategic move to diversify international partnerships. While recent major infrastructure contracts have been awarded to European and Chinese firms, Colombia remains open to broader international collaboration and seeks investment from a wide range of global partners.
Railways
The Colombian government has placed renewed emphasis on rail transport through the National Railway Plan, which aims to improve freight and passenger connectivity and revitalize underused infrastructure. Currently, only 37% of the national rail network is operational, prompting efforts to reactivate corridors such as La Dorada–Chiriguaná, Bogota–Belencito, and the Pacific line.
These initiatives are part of the 2022–2026 National Development Plan and are being structured as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), leveraging both national and private sector investment. In 2024, Congress began debating a Railway Bill to attract private investment and provide a stronger legal framework for concession agreements.
The primary freight project is the La Dorada–Chiriguaná corridor, a 526 km trunk line linking central Colombia to the Caribbean coast. This corridor is being upgraded under a $843 million, 10-year PPP contract, with modern rolling stock, reinforced bridges, and new control centers, and is expected to cut transport costs by 20% and support intermodal integration.
Passenger rail is also advancing, with the Bogota Metro Line 1 reaching 50% completion as of March 2025 and the Regiotram de Occidente set to become the country’s first fully electric commuter train, reducing travel times dramatically for over 130,000 daily users. Additional projects, such as the Villavicencio–Puerto Gaitán line, Tren de Cercanías del Valle del Cauca, and Regiotram del Norte, are in planning or early execution. Despite challenges like delays and financing uncertainties, these projects collectively mark a new era for Colombia’s rail system.
Airports
Colombia’s airport sector is undergoing significant expansion and modernization, driven by post-pandemic growth in passenger and cargo traffic. Most major airports operate under 10- to 25-year concession schemes. Most major airport projects are structured as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), with private concessionaires responsible for financing, building, and operating facilities.
To meet growing demand, Colombia’s government is undertaking a $2.7 billion airport investment plan. This includes expansions and upgrades at airports in Cartagena, Cali, San Andrés, and Neiva. The expansion of Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport, is the largest and most strategic component, which includes new terminals, additional aircraft parking, and the construction of a second airport in the Bogota savannah to handle future demand. Together, these projects aim to boost the capital region’s capacity to over 70 million passengers annually, from its current 45 million passengers.
In Cartagena, Rafael Núñez International Airport is undergoing a COP 1.4 trillion (approx. $327 million) expansion, adding a new international terminal and modernizing existing facilities. The project began construction in March 2025 and will last 30 months. The new Bayunca International Airport (New Cartagena Airport) is in the structuring and environmental licensing phase, with construction expected to start in late 2025 or early 2026, and an initial capacity for 17 million passengers. The project is fully privately financed under a PPP model, with an estimated investment of $950 million.
Medellín’s José María Córdova Airport in Rionegro is the focus of a new master plan extending through 2055, including feasibility for a second runway and major upgrades to meet projected passenger and cargo growth. Additionally, a $200 million modernization program led by Chinese and Colombian investors is underway at six regional airports: José María Córdova (Rionegro), Olaya Herrera (downtown Medellín), El Caraño (Quibdó), Antonio Roldán Betancourt (Carepa), Los Garzones (Montería), and Las Brujas (Corozal), covering near-term upgrades such as terminal renovations, runway improvements, advanced security systems, and new emergency equipment.
Seaports
Colombia’s National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) grants concessions for seaports to private companies for periods of 20 to 25 years. Colombia has eight major port areas, and 61 terminals located in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, including Barranquilla and Cartagena on the Caribbean coast and Buenaventura on the Pacific coast. Seaports play a crucial role in the country’s trade operations, making them vital to economic growth and international commerce.
Modernizing Colombia’s ports is a key government priority aimed at enhancing sustainability, operational efficiency, and integration into global trade networks, particularly in response to decarbonization and climate change challenges. While the public sector sets strategic goals, the majority of port investments are driven by private capital. In 2024, the Port of Cartagena ranked 3rd globally in the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), reflecting its world-class efficiency. Meanwhile, the Barranquilla port zone recorded a historic 13.4 million tons of cargo movement in 2024, a 9% increase over 2023, thanks to improved competitiveness and consistent channel depth, reinforcing Colombia’s growing importance in international maritime logistics.
However, ports like Buenaventura and Barranquilla continue to face challenges due to high sedimentation rates, which restrict access and increase maintenance costs. To address these issues and further enhance competitiveness, major waterway projects such as the navigability of the Magdalena River and the Dique Channel restoration are underway, aiming to reduce sediment loads and improve year-round port access for Barranquilla and Cartagena.
Amid these modernization efforts, Colombia is also advancing significant new projects. The most prominent is Puerto Antioquia in the Gulf of Urabá, a deep-water terminal set to become a major export route for agricultural goods, with capacity for over 6 million tons of cargo annually and a $650–800 million investment from a consortium of local and international partners.
Dredging and Waterway Opportunities
The Canal del Dique project is a $721 million environmental initiative led by Spain’s SACYR. It includes lock construction, flood control systems, and ecosystem restoration to reduce sedimentation and improve climate resilience. The project is in the pre-construction phase as of May 2025, pending environmental approvals and continued community consultations.
The Magdalena River Navigability Project, originally structured as a PPP, has transitioned to a public works model led by Cormagdalena. The goal is to ensure year-round river navigation across 668 kilometers, improve port access, and manage sediment. Technical planning is ongoing, with initial funding allocated for maintenance, dredging, and potential equipment acquisition.
Residential Buildings
The residential construction subsector remains a cornerstone of Colombia’s construction industry, representing 4.3% of GDP and supporting over 1.5 million jobs. It has experienced large fluctuations: from 2013 to 2020, housing unit sales increased significantly, driven by government subsidies and low mortgage rates. However, in 2023, low-income housing sales dropped by 66% compared to 2022, attributed to local inflation and currency devaluation. In early 2025, home sales continued to decline, dropping 11.9% in January compared to the same month last year, despite a slight rebound in subsidized housing. Real estate experts attribute the ongoing market contraction to structural obstacles and the suspension of the government’s public subsidy program, “Mi Casa Ya” in late 2024.
Bogota, Medellín, Cartagena, and Barranquilla remain the key markets in Colombia’s residential building industry. The limited launch of new projects is expected to constrain future supply, potentially supporting further price increases and rental growth. A notable trend is the growing demand for compact, energy-efficient, and sustainable housing. Over 20% of new buildings in Colombia are now certified under green building standards such as the IFC’s EDGE program, reflecting strong momentum in sustainable construction. Government policies and rising utility costs are driving demand for energy-efficient homes, with compact apartments and eco-friendly designs gaining popularity, especially among urban buyers.
Despite recent market volatility, Colombia’s expanding middle class and sustained urbanization are expected to underpin demand for modern, efficient housing in the medium term. Developers are increasingly responding to evolving preferences by offering smaller, energy-efficient apartments, particularly in cities like Bogota, where the average size of new units is shrinking to meet affordability and sustainability goals. Leading firms such as Constructora Bolívar, Amarilo, and Conconcreto continue to shape the sector with extensive portfolios that include residential complexes, mixed-use developments, and major infrastructure projects across urban centers like Bogota, Medellín, and Cali.
Leading Sub-sectors
• Advanced Engineering and Infrastructure Development
• Heavy machinery and Construction equipment
• Engineering and Project Management Services
• Smart Mobility & Intelligent Transport Solutions
• Sustainable and energy-efficient residential construction (including EDGE and LEED-certified projects)
Opportunities
The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CPTA) enables most U.S.-origin road and construction equipment, as well as professional services such as project management, engineering, and architecture, to enter Colombia duty free. The CTPA includes stronger legal protections for U.S. companies, expanded access to the services market, market access for used goods, increased transparency in procurement, and improved dispute settlement mechanisms. Under Article 9.2 of the CTPA, U.S. companies are to be treated as local companies when they participate in public bids, eliminating the disadvantage they used to face before the CTPA. The one exception is public bids issued by the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority (AeroCivil).
Since opportunities in road construction, airport expansion, and port expansion are offered through concessions and contracts governed by Colombia’s PPP legal framework, U.S. firms interested in offering services to construction companies in Colombia should understand how the PPP structure works. U.S. firms are encouraged to find a local representative who can support them in-country or explore the possibility of a joint venture for infrastructure projects, as well as to navigate regulatory requirements and participate effectively in the Colombian market.
Trade Events
ExpoConstruccion & Expodiseño
Construction and Design fair
May 20-25, 2025 (biennially)
Bogota D.C., Colombia.
National Infrastructure Congress
Colombia’s Infrastructure Chamber- CCI
November 26-28, 2025
Cartagena, Colombia.
AAPA LATAM Convention of Ports
American Ports Association – Latam Convention
June 24-27, 2025,
Lima, Perú
Colombiamar 2025
Marine Trade Show
March 12-14, 2025
Cartagena, Colombia
Key Government agencies and Associations
Colombia’s National Infrastructure Agency
Colombian Chamber of Infrastructure
Colombian Society of Engineers
Camacol-Colombian Construction Chamber
Colombian Chamber of Cement and Concrete
SECOP
For additional information, including market analysis, trade events, and the assistance the U.S. Commercial Service can provide to help you succeed in the Colombian market, please contact:
U.S. Embassy Bogota
Karen Ospina
Construction, and Infrastructure Commercial Specialist
Karen.Ospina@Trade.gov