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Zambia Champions Regional Development through the Lobito Corridor

The Zambian government has called for greater private sector involvement in the Lobito Corridor, highlighting its potential to drive sustainable growth and economic development for Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Speaking at the official opening of the Lobito Corridor Secretariat on Lobito Island, Angola, Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali, emphasized the transformative nature of the project. He stated that the corridor is not just a transport link but an economic one that will revolutionize the economies of the three member countries while advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Lobito Corridor Secretariat, established to oversee the corridor’s operationalization, marks a critical milestone in regional integration efforts. Angola’s Minister of Transport, Dr. Ricardo Daniel Sandão Queirós Veigas de Abreu, reaffirmed Angola’s commitment by announcing a $1.126 million allocation over three years to support the Secretariat’s activities. Dr. de Abreu expressed confidence that the corridor would achieve its goals through the steadfast efforts of the three countries’ leaders and technical committees. Similarly, Angele Makombo Ntumba, Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, commended the collaboration between the member states and expressed optimism about the project’s success.

The Lobito Corridor is positioned as a vital trade and transport link for Southern and Central Africa, promising to enhance connectivity, foster economic growth, and boost regional integration. Tayali highlighted ongoing initiatives to improve transport infrastructure along the corridor, such as the Jimbe One-Stop Border Post (OSB) on the Zambia-Angola border, the Jimbe Border Market, and the road linking the OSB to Mwinilunga. Additionally, progress has been made on other infrastructure projects, including access roads to the Sakanya border with the DRC on the Copperbelt, the Kambimba border in North-Western Province, and the Solwezi-Kipushi Road network.

Tayali underscored the importance of well-planned corridors in enhancing trade, citing estimates that they could increase trade volumes by up to 30%, create thousands of jobs, and attract significant investment. The Lobito Corridor, he noted, is poised to reduce travel times and costs, enabling seamless trade and economic activities. Tayali envisioned a future where farmers, manufacturers, and miners could efficiently transport goods, access raw materials, and travel safely, significantly benefiting the economies of the participating countries.

Highlighting the region’s commitment to operationalizing the corridor, Tayali pointed to key milestones, including the conclusion of negotiations with the Africa Finance Corporation for the Zambia-Angola Greenfield Railway Project. A Conditional Concession Agreement for the project was signed on September 24, 2024, in New York, paving the way for construction. Additionally, Tayali mentioned progress on the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway upgrade, a critical infrastructure project supporting Zambia’s transport network.

As the Lobito Corridor moves closer to full operationalization, it holds the promise of fostering regional economic growth and integration. With investments in infrastructure, robust collaboration among member states, and increased private sector participation, the corridor is set to become a key driver of sustainable development in Southern and Central Africa.

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