Overview
The Lobito Corridor is a major economic route connecting the port of Lobito in Angola to the Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Copperbelt in Zambia.
As the first open-access transcontinental rail link in Africa, it has the potential to unlock the region's enormous economic potential, increase export opportunities, and promote regional integration.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) providing a framework for cooperation in the development of the Lobito Corridor, has been signed by the European Union, the United States, Italy and the three host countries, the African Development Bank and the African Finance Corporation.
The Lobito Corridor Flagship Project encompasses various components construction of the Zambia-Angola railway ('greenfield'); rehabilitation of the DRC segment of the railway (Kolwezi-Dilolo-Angolan frontier) with establishment of a PPP; upgrading and operationalisation of the Angolan railway (Lobito Atlantic Railway LAR); soft measures on transit & trade facilitation, sustainable agricultural value chains, access to renewable energy & climate adaptation, education & TVET and jobs creation; critical raw material value chains (in the framework of MoU's on CRM with DRC and Zambia).
Key information
- Global Gateway areas of partnerships
Transport
- Type of initiative
Regional
- Geographical focus
Sub-Saharan Africa
- Countries
Zambia; Angola; Democratic Republic of Congo
- Team Europe members involved
Belgium; Netherlands; Italy; Sweden; France; Portugal; EIB; Germany; European Commission
- Initiative ID
IDI175-2
Milestones
- Completion of feasibility study on solar power
- Completion of due diligence studies and launch of feasibility studies for rehabilitation of Dilolo-Kolwezi section in DRC
- MoU and feasibility studies for rail line expansion (Luacano, Angola to Chingola, Zambia)