A major British investment group is poised to secure Colombia’s largest infrastructure project, with plans for further expansion into other significant works slated for 2026 and 2027. ERG International Group is aggressively pursuing opportunities in the South American nation.
The company has submitted a proposal, in partnership with Colombian firm MIA Grupo Empresarial, to win the concession for the Estanquillo – Popayán project in the country’s southwest. This undertaking represents the Colombian government’s flagship infrastructure initiative, with an estimated investment of approximately $9 billion USD.
The consortium was the sole bidder for the public-private partnership (APP), considered the largest in the country’s history – excluding the Bogotá Metro – and a decision is expected in early March.
The Colombian government intends to grant a 20-year concession for the corridor, aiming to improve infrastructure connectivity between the Valle del Cauca, Cauca, Nariño, Putumayo regions, and Ecuador. The initiative includes the construction of 14 tunnels, 116 vehicular bridges, 12 pedestrian bridges, and five novel grade-separated intersections.
ERG International Group’s Expanding Business in Colombia
Securing this concession would mark ERG International Group’s first major transportation project in Colombia, operating through its subsidiary, ERG Compañía de Infraestructuras y Desarrollos. The company previously bid on projects at the Cartagena airport and the La Dorada – Chiriguaná railway. However, ERG is already involved in a significant project in Bogotá: the renovation of El Campín Stadium, through its partnership with operator Sencia.
Juan Jiménez, ERG International Group’s Director for Latin America, stated in an exclusive interview that the company remains committed to Colombia and hopes to be awarded the Estanquillo – Popayán APP. Despite being the sole bidder, the proposal still requires technical, legal, and economic evaluation.
Beyond the highway concession, ERG is also targeting rail projects, including the Pacific line, the Bogotá – Belencito line, and a potential line from La Dorada to Santa Marta.
The company is also exploring potential collaborations with Odinsa, a subsidiary of Grupo Argos, regarding expansion projects at Bogotá’s El Dorado Max airport and the construction of a new airport in Bayunca, Cartagena.
ERG is also considering bidding on the Villeta – Guaduas highway, the Cúcuta Wastewater Treatment Plant (PTAR), and the Simón Bolívar Hospital APP in Bogotá.
“By the end of 2026 and into 2027, the sector will be quite active with these projects,” Jiménez stated. “ANI will have a lot of projects coming up, and I want to acknowledge the excellent perform done by its president, Óscar Torres.”
ERG’s financing capabilities are bolstered by its net worth of approximately $1 billion USD and access to export credit agencies, which offer favorable financing terms for projects in developing nations.
ERG’s key partnership in Colombia is with MIA Grupo Empresarial, a firm the British group first encountered at a conference in Madrid.
“We met in 2024 and were introduced to them as very effective players in the local market,” Jiménez explained. Since then, the two companies have forged a relationship that positions them to potentially secure the nearly $9 billion Colombian project.
MIA Grupo Empresarial brings extensive experience in construction, including prisons, administrative buildings, schools, and stadiums, as well as “a tremendous capacity for execution and very good contacts with authorities and local stakeholders, banks, regulators, which facilitate our landing as an international company.”
ERG International Group’s track record includes large-scale projects such as what was once the world’s tallest dam, as well as high-speed roads and railways in Europe with investments exceeding $4 billion USD.
Key Allies of ERG International Group
For the La Dorada – Chiriguaná and now Estanquillo – Popayán projects, ERG partnered with MIA Grupo Empresarial, a Colombian firm that first connected at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid.
“We met in 2024 and were introduced to them as very good and efficient actors in
