The Coba Group

What The Coba Group does

COBA Group is a privately held, multi-geographic engineering and environmental consulting firm headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, founded in 1962 by four engineers. The firm provides comprehensive consulting services across the full lifecycle of infrastructure projects — feasibility studies, design, technical assistance, construction supervision, and environmental and social assessments — across transport (roads, railways, airports), energy (hydropower, dams, transmission), water resources and irrigation, environment and sustainability, and digitalization. Its client base is dominated by government agencies, multilateral development banks (World Bank, African Development Bank, European Investment Bank), and private sector operators in energy, mining, and water (EDP, REN, Neoenergia, Brisa, SOMINCOR/Lundin Mining, EDIA, IP-Infraestruturas de Portugal, MINEA Angola, ANA Airports), with project execution conducted through competitive public tenders and direct contracts across 60 countries.

The Group operates through a holding structure (COBA, SGPS, S.A., established 2014/2015) encompassing six regional operating companies (Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Algeria, Peru, Colombia), a Brazilian presence via LandPro and the November 2025-acquired MZE Engenharia, and specialized subsidiaries covering roads/pavements (CONSULSTRADA), surveying/LIDAR (LandCOBA), irrigation and environmental recovery (TETRAPLANO), and other engineering services (COESA). Revenue is generated primarily through professional-services, project-based contracts (feasibility studies, design, supervision) priced on fixed-price or time-and-materials terms, with multi-year durations typical for large infrastructure mandates. The Group's go-to-market relies on technical excellence reputation (ENR Top 225 ranked firm — 138th in 2018), 64 years of cumulative project history (~2,800 projects), MDB pre-qualification (ranked 3rd among Portuguese firms for MDB contracts 2012–2023), and active engagement in international engineering forums.

In June 2026, the Group created a joint venture named QUASAR with Brazilian consultancy Intertechne (COBA INTERTECHNE Energy Transition, Lda.) to enter the energy transition market, focusing on Oil & Gas, intermittent renewable energies, and renewable gases — representing a directional pivot toward decarbonization-adjacent work. The Group employs BIM, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and LIDAR survey technologies on projects such as the Kholombidzo Hydropower Project in Malawi and various water infrastructure works, and maintains memberships in professional bodies including ICOLD, IAEG, APPC, SPG, and CPT.

Name

The Coba Group

Legal name

COBA Group

Website

https://cobagroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

COBA Group is a Lisbon-headquartered, privately held engineering and environmental consultancy founded in 1962, delivering feasibility, design, supervision, and environmental assessment services across transport, energy, water, and mining for governments, multilateral development banks, and private-sector clients in 60 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineering and Environmental Consulting Services

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Electric & Other Services Combined (4931)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUAEAAAL

Balance-of-Plant (BOP) & Civil Works for Power Plants

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Energy Infrastructure & Services (EPC, O&M, Field Services)/Power Generation EPC & Construction

SECONDARYEUAMAFAA

Site Preparation & Civil Works (Clearing, Grading, Earthworks, Roads)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind, Hydro & Geothermal)/Renewable EPC & Construction (Balance of Plant)

SECONDARYEUAEADAA

Civil & Site Works EPC (Earthworks, Roads, Drainage, Foundations)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Energy Infrastructure & Services (EPC, O&M, Field Services)/Renewable Balance-of-Plant EPC (Wind/Solar/Hydro)

SECONDARYEUAMANAB

Permitting, Siting & Environmental Impact (EIA/NEPA) Advisory

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind, Hydro & Geothermal)/Policy & Regulatory Consulting for Renewables

SECONDARYEUABAEAE

Supply Chain (Scope 3) Emissions & Supplier Engagement Platforms

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Carbon & Climate Solutions (Carbon Markets, Offsets, CCS/CCUS)/Carbon Accounting, Reporting & Climate Data Platforms (GHG Inventories, ESG/Disclosure)

Keywords

• Engineering consulting services
• Environmental consulting services
• Infrastructure design services
• Hydropower engineering services
• Transport infrastructure consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisboa

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consulting Services: COBA generates revenue through providing comprehensive engineering consulting services including feasibility studies, design projects, technical assistance, construction supervision, and environmental assessments for infrastructure projects.
2. Project Design Contracts: Revenue is generated from fixed-price and time-and-materials contracts for project execution, preliminary studies, environmental impact studies, and construction supervision services.
3. Multilateral Development Bank Contracts: Significant revenue stream from contracts funded by multilateral development banks including World Bank, African Development Bank, and European Investment Bank projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

COBA Group is a multi-geographic engineering and environmental consulting firm providing professional services across all stages of infrastructure project design and technical assistance. Core offerings include feasibility studies, project design, construction supervision, environmental assessments, and technical assistance in transport (roads, railways, airports), energy (hydropower dams, hydroelectric plants, transmission), water resources (supply, sanitation, irrigation), and environmental management for government clients, multilateral development banks, and private-sector operators across 60 countries.

Product overview

COBA Group is a multi-geographic engineering and environmental consulting firm offering services across all stages of project design and technical assistance. The portfolio consists of six regional companies (COBA Portugal, COBA Angola, COBA Moçambique, COBA Algérie, COBA Peru, COBA Colombia) and several specialized subsidiaries (COESA, CONSULSTRADA, LandCOBA, TETRAPLANO, LandPro) providing services in transports, energy, water resources, environment, sustainability, and digitalization. A new strategic joint venture, QUASAR by COBA and INTERTECHNE, was launched in June 2026 to focus on energy transition. The company completed over 2800 projects across 60 countries since its founding in 1962.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• QUASAR by COBA and INTERTECHNE: Energy transition company focusing on Oil & Gas, Renewable Intermittent Energies, and Renewable Gases, created as a strategic partnership between COBA Group and Intertechne.

Products and services

• Engineering Consulting Services (Feasibility, Design, Technical Assistance, Construction Supervision)

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked 138th in ENR Top 225 International Design Firms (2018), up 56 positions from 2017
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• IntertechneflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026COBA Group and Intertechne formed QUASAR (COBA INTERTECHNE Energy Transition, Lda.) to accelerate energy transition. The new company focuses on three strategic areas: Oil & Gas, Intermittent Renewable Energies, and Renewable Gases. QUASAR combines COBA's 60+ years of engineering experience with Intertechne's international energy sector expertise.
• ArteliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for water and sanitation projects including master plans for sanitation in Angolan cities (Luena, N'Dalatando, Cuito, Huambo), Cape Verde pumped-storage hydropower feasibility study, and various infrastructure assessments across Africa.
• Águas de Portugal (AdP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Portuguese water group for international water and sanitation projects, including sanitation master plans in Angola with technical cooperation between COBA Angola and AdP Internacional.
• SWECOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swedish engineering consultancy SWECO for implementation of international agreements on shared watercourses in Mozambique, focusing on monitoring compliance mechanisms.
• China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal delegation reception at COBA headquarters, demonstrating cooperation with major Chinese construction entities for potential infrastructure development collaboration.
• MZE EngenhariacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn November 2025, COBA acquired a participation in MZE Engenharia, strengthening leadership and delivery capacity in critical areas of water and energy in Brazil. The acquisition consolidates COBA's position and expands local talent and global experience.
• DAR AL-HANDASAHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Lebanese engineering consultancy for energy transition projects in Angola, including a €30 million contract with PRODEL for power sector development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Artelia: Artelia is an independent French engineering consultancy active in water, energy, transport, and buildings with material operations in Africa and the Middle East. Active COBA consortium partner on Angolan sanitation and Cape Verde hydropower projects, and a close peer on service mix and client base.
• Egis: Egis is a French engineering group operating across transport, water, energy, and urban development with significant presence in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Direct peer to COBA on international infrastructure consulting, particularly for multilateral-funded projects in emerging markets.
• Tractebel (Engie): Tractebel is the Belgian-based engineering consultancy of Engie focused on energy, water, and infrastructure projects worldwide. Comparable to COBA in hydropower and transmission expertise, with significant emerging-market presence and multilateral bank orientation.
• Sweco: Sweco is a Swedish-headquartered engineering, design, and environmental consultancy with leading European market share and growing international footprint. Closely comparable to COBA on multidisciplinary consulting, water/environment, and Nordic-African project delivery — confirmed as an active COBA consortium partner on Mozambique watercourse work.
• Intertechne: Intertechne is a Brazilian engineering consultancy with strong hydropower and energy-sector expertise across Latin America and Africa. COBA's JV partner in QUASAR (June 2026), making it the most direct peer on energy-transition consulting capability.

Broad incumbents

• Stantec: Stantec is a Canadian engineering, architecture, and environmental services firm serving infrastructure, water, energy, and community development clients globally. Comparable to COBA's multi-discipline engineering and environmental consulting model, though at much larger scale.
• AECOM: AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm delivering engineering, environmental, and construction services across transport, water, energy, and government end-markets. Direct overlap with COBA across multidisciplinary design and supervision, but with vastly larger capture capacity for megaprojects.
• Arcadis: Arcadis is a Dutch design and consultancy firm focused on buildings, infrastructure, water, environment, and mobility, with strong European presence. Direct service-model overlap with COBA, particularly on water, environment, and international development work.
• WSP Global: WSP is a Canadian-headquartered global professional services consultancy with deep engineering, environmental, and infrastructure design capabilities across power, transport, and water. Comparable to COBA in service mix but operates at materially larger scale with broader geographic and segment reach.

Regional players

• Dar Al-Handasah: Dar Al-Handasah is a Lebanese-origin international engineering consultancy with deep presence in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Active COBA consortium partner on Angolan power-sector work and comparable in scale and emerging-market focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coba

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Coba Group