Lobito, Angola – Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has hailed the Lobito Corridor as a transformative project poised to drive trade and investment, not only across Southern Africa but also globally. Speaking at the Multilateral Summit on the Lobito Corridor, held today in Benguela, Angola, Hichilema described the initiative as “a game-changing infrastructure” that connects economies and fosters sustainable development.
“The Lobito Corridor isn’t just a benefit for SADC countries; it represents a major opportunity for the global economy. It facilitates trade by providing an integrated network of railways, highways, and essential infrastructure,” Hichilema stated.
The project, with an estimated value of $2 billion, features a 1,344-kilometer rail line linking the Port of Lobito in Angola to the mineral-rich regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia. With an annual transport capacity projected at 30 million tons, the corridor is being positioned as a strategic alternative to traditional export routes in Southern Africa.
In addition to facilitating the export of key minerals like copper and cobalt, the Lobito Corridor is attracting investment in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. Economic experts predict that the project could generate up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next decade, making it a significant driver of regional development.
The summit brought together regional leaders, including Angolan President João Lourenço and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, to discuss strategies for maximizing the corridor’s impact. Discussions focused on leveraging the corridor to boost regional integration and position African economies competitively on the global stage.
President João Lourenço highlighted the importance of international partnerships in ensuring the project’s success. “With global investors and regional cooperation, the Lobito Corridor can turn Southern Africa’s economic potential into a tangible reality,” Lourenço said.
The Lobito Corridor is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, with the potential to reshape trade and transportation dynamics in the region. Experts emphasize that the corridor not only reduces logistics costs but also promotes economic diversification—a critical factor for the future of Southern Africa.
