Three Nations Push Faster Lobito Corridor Development

He said stronger commercial links would deepen regional stability and make conflict less attractive.

President HICHILEMA said the ambition for border efficiency should move from one-stop to non-stop borders, with 24-hour operations, digital customs and immigration systems, and single-window platforms to reduce delays and the cost of doing business.

He said the Corridor must be managed as a business platform rather than a political one, with governments identifying and removing bureaucratic obstacles that delay investment.

President HICHILEMA said the Corridor’s monitoring system should be used to identify problems and track the jobs being created.

Speaking at the same event, World Bank Managing Director ANNA BJERDE said the success of the Corridor will be measured by the jobs and economic transformation it creates, rather than the volume of freight it moves.

Ms. BJERDE said significant progress had been made in the eight months since the first Coordination Meeting in Luanda, including financing for key Zambian road projects, railway rehabilitation and a dry port.

She said 118 private-sector investment opportunities worth more than 28 billion United States dollars had also been identified.

Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency Executive Secretary AMADEU NUNES said the Agency will work with the three member states, the World Bank, development partners and the private sector to resolve outstanding issues and accelerate implementation.

Meanwhile, Government has secured funding from the African Development Bank and the Millennium Challenge Corporation to construct roads and improve connectivity along the Lobito Corridor.

Finance and National Planning Minister SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE said Government is awaiting the completion of procurement processes before road construction begins.

He said Zambia intends to transform the railway into a full economic corridor that stimulates industry, creates jobs and opens up business opportunities.

Dr. MUSOKOTWANE said the strategy is centred on four pillars: driving an export-led economy, attracting foreign direct investment, building local capacity and creating a favourable business environment.

He said the Lobito Corridor is also being used to support presidential targets for the production and export of commodities such as copper, sugar and soya beans.

Meanwhile, Angola said it remains committed to the Lobito Corridor, describing the regional infrastructure project as a key driver of economic transformation and regional integration for Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Angola’s Minister of Transport RICARDO D’ABREU, who delivered a message on behalf of President JOÃO LOURENÇO, said several milestones had already been achieved by Angola, including the operationalisation of the 30-year Lobito Atlantic Railway concession.

Mr. D’ABREU said this had been accompanied by the securing of 700 million United States dollars in financing through the United States International Development Finance Corporation and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

He said the railway was already facilitating the transportation of copper and other minerals to the Port of Lobito, while also supporting the movement of sulphur, food products and domestic cargo within Angola.

Mr. D’ABREU disclosed that the Lobito Corridor Master Plan was in its final stages and had identified 144 investment opportunities across ten sectors, representing more than 12 billion United States dollars in potential investment.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo has called for accelerated investment and stronger regional cooperation to unlock the full potential of the Lobito Corridor as a catalyst for economic transformation and regional integration.

Democratic Republic of Congo Minister of State for Planning and Coordination of Development, GUYLAIN MBWIZYA, said the Corridor is a strategic development initiative that goes beyond transport infrastructure.

Dr. MBWIZYA said the Corridor should serve as a tool for territorial development, industrialisation, job creation and economic growth across the region.