In a major development for transport infrastructure in Africa, the Transport Ministers of Zambia and Angola have signed a crucial agreement for the Lobito Corridor railway project. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Hon. Eng. Counsel Museba Frank Tayali, Zambian Minister of Transport and Logistics, and his Angolan counterpart Ricardo Daniel Sandaõ Queirõs de Abreu, signed the concession agreement for the Lobito Corridor railway development with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the project’s lead developer.
Mr. Tayali described this event as a “milestone”, emphasizing that it realizes Zambia’s ambition to become a transport and logistics hub. AFC, represented by its President and CEO Samaila Zubairu, announced the completion of the project’s key feasibility study.
This new transport infrastructure, scheduled to launch in early 2026, will connect Angola and Zambia for the first time. It promises to unlock Zambia’s Copperbelt and stimulate cross-border economic integration.
In parallel, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency granted $2 million for an environmental and social impact study, ensuring that the project will meet the highest international standards.
The geopolitical importance of the Lobito Corridor was highlighted during a high-level roundtable organized by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. This meeting, which brought together ministers from several African countries, European representatives, and financial institutions, showcased the progress made since the signing of the memorandum of understanding last year.
The Lobito Corridor, considered a flagship project of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), aims to develop transcontinental connectivity from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. It represents a significant step towards creating the continent’s first open-access rail network.
This ambitious project not only promises to transform transport infrastructure in Southern Africa but also to catalyze regional economic development, opening new perspectives for trade and continental integration.
Minister of Transport and Logistics Hon. Eng. Counsel MUSEBA FRANK TAYALI, MP and his counterpart from Angola RICARDO DANIEL SANDAÕ QUEIRÕS de ABREU signed the Lobito Corridor Railway Development Concessioning Agreement with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) who are the lead developers of the project United States Lotte Palace Hotel in New York, United States of America.
The AFC was represented by President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. SAMAILA ZUBAIRU.
Hon. TAYALI hasbdescribed the event as a milestone as it now concludes the envisaged desire for the country to be a transport and logistics hub.
The signing ceremony took place on the margins of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.
During the event, Africa Finance Corporation announced the completion of the key feasibility study and signed a concession agreement with the governments of Zambia and Angola to develop and operate the rail. The new transportation infrastructure will connect Angola and Zambia for the first time and is expected to commence in early 2026. The connectivity will unlock Zambia’s Copperbelt and spur economic integration and inclusive growth across borders.
At the same event, U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced a $2 million grant for an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the rail project, which will ensure it is delivered according to the highest international standards.
Meanwhile, Hon. TAYALI and his counterparts, Hon. MULAMBO HAIMBE, SC, M.P, alongside Hon. CHARLES MILUPI, MP Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development attended a Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) Lobito Corridor roundtable which was hosted by US Secretary of State ANTHONY BLINKEN. The high-level discussion advanced the PGI’s flagship Lobito Corridor, aiming to develop trans-continental connectivity from the Atlantic to Indian Oceans.
Participants included the Foreign Affairs Ministers of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Zambia, the European Partnerships Commissioner, and the Italian Vice Foreign Minister alongside the CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation and the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Human Development of the African Development Bank (AfDB). President Hakainde Hichilema’s Special Assistant for Project Implementation and Monitoring, Dr Lawrence Mwananyanda, also attended the meeting.
The roundtable showcased the consortium’s progress on the Lobito Corridor since the signing of the seven-side Memorandum of Understanding for infrastructure investment last year. This included key milestones for the new greenfield Zambia-Lobito rail line, building toward the continent’s first open-access rail network.
Source : Ministry of Transport and Logistics , Zambia
