The Lobito Corridor, one of Africa’s most strategic trade routes, is set for a major transformation after Zambia’s power utility, ZESCO, and energy firm, Anzana, signed a $300 million agreement to electrify communities and industries along the route. Scheduled for completion by 2030, the project will connect more than two million Zambians to reliable electricity while boosting the efficiency and competitiveness of transport and logistics services across the corridor.
Stretching from the Atlantic port city of Lobito in Angola, through Zambia, and into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Lobito Corridor is fast becoming a vital artery for moving minerals, agricultural produce, and manufactured goods. Its potential, however, has often been constrained by infrastructure gaps. Among the most critical has been access to reliable and affordable electricity.
Power outages have historically plagued the corridor’s industrial clusters, border crossings, cold storage facilities, and railway stations. Many logistics companies are now compelled to use diesel generators, which raises expenses, slows down operations, and pollutes the environment. By guaranteeing that transportation and logistics infrastructure is backed by sustainable, grid-connected power, the new electrification initiative aims to bridge this gap.
This agreement is anticipated to have far-reaching effects outside of the electrical industry. The effort aims to enhance turnaround times, decrease delays, and boost the corridor’s overall competitiveness by electrifying warehouses, cargo processing facilities, and customs checks. There will also be additional chances for agribusinesses and exporters as cold chain logistics for perishable items, which are crucial for both local food security and export markets, become more dependable.
In addition, electrification will lower dependency on diesel generators, cutting operating costs for logistics operators while reducing carbon emissions. This shift not only enhances environmental sustainability but also positions the corridor as a modern, energy-efficient trade route attractive to global investors.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, ZESCO officials emphasized that the partnership will reinforce the corridor’s role as a regional trade gateway. For Zambia, the initiative supports the government’s ambition to transition from a landlocked nation to a land-linked logistics hub. With reliable electricity powering both communities and industries along the corridor, the country strengthens its role in regional supply chains that connect the DRC’s mineral wealth to global markets while boosting agricultural and industrial exports.
The agreement demonstrates Anzana’s dedication to connecting sustainable energy with areas of economic development. According to company representatives, the initiative shows how energy infrastructure can stimulate growth in a variety of industries, including trade, industry, logistics, and transportation.
The $300 million ZESCO-Anzana agreement is about far more than just supplying electricity to homes. It is about driving the future of trade in Africa. In addition to strengthening the logistical infrastructure, Zambia and its partners are establishing the foundation for regional integration and competitiveness in international trade by illuminating the Lobito Corridor.
