Zambia Reaffirms Support for Lobito Corridor to Enhance Trade, Infrastructure, and Regional Integration
Zambia has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the Lobito Corridor following an official visit by its Ambassador to Angola, His Excellency Rev. Dr. Elias Munshya, to the Port of Lobito in Benguela Province.
The visit underscores Zambia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation along this strategic regional infrastructure initiative linking Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
During a high-level meeting with the Board of Directors and management of the Port of Lobito, Ambassador Munshya highlighted Zambia’s continued support for the Corridor as a platform for regional integration, economic growth, and sustainable development. This marked his first official visit to the Port since assuming office at the end of 2025.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress made and commended the Port’s readiness to serve not only Angola but also landlocked countries in the region, including Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Ambassador emphasized the strategic importance of Benguela Province to Zambia, noting the central role of the Port of Lobito and the Benguela Railway in facilitating the efficient movement of goods between the Atlantic coast and inland markets.
The Zambian delegation also toured the Second Line Terminal (Dry Port), where officials outlined operational mechanisms and logistical advantages, including improved cargo flow, reduced congestion at the seaport, and enhanced efficiency along the Corridor.
Beyond its economic significance, Ambassador Munshya stressed that the Lobito Corridor should serve as a catalyst for cultural exchange, tourism, and human development, strengthening ties among communities across the region.
He recalled the historical foundations of cooperation between Zambia and Angola, rooted in the shared vision of former Presidents António Agostinho Neto and Kenneth Kaunda, and reinforced under the leadership of Presidents João Lourenço and Hakainde Hichilema.
The visit began on a people-centered and spiritual note, with Ambassador Munshya attending a Sunday service at the Assembleia de Deus Pentecostal Church in Lobito, led by Rev.
Fernando Ricardo Kaputo, coinciding with the launch of a new church in the community. Addressing congregants, the Ambassador reflected on the historical ties between Zambia and Angola, noting that the Lobito–inland railway was once a symbol of promise interrupted by years of conflict.
He highlighted Angola’s recovery and the renewed collaboration with Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other partners to restore road and rail networks as vital pathways for trade and regional integration.
The Embassy of the Republic of Zambia reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Government of Angola, Corridor institutions, and cooperating partners to ensure the full operationalization of the Lobito Corridor, emphasizing that infrastructure development and policy frameworks should ultimately serve the interests of ordinary people and local communities.
