The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) forecasts substantial economic gains for Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with the development of the ambitious Lobito Corridor Investment Project. The corridor is expected to revolutionize regional trade dynamics by boosting trade and investment in key industries such as manufacturing, mining, and agriculture by 20%, through simplified trade routes to international markets. ZACCI Chief Executive Officer Elvin
Author: Constance Makungu
Zambia to Build New Airports as Part of Aviation Infrastructure Upgrade
The Zambian government is set to begin construction on new airports in Choma and Kasaba Bay, Nsama District, following the successful rehabilitation of Mongu, Solwezi, and Chipata airports. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to enhance its aviation infrastructure. Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali announced the development in a speech delivered on his behalf by Nkumbu Siame, Director of Transport at the Ministry of
Heart Aerospace to Conduct First Fully Electric Flight of Heart X1 in 2025
Swedish hybrid-electric aircraft manufacturer Heart Aerospace is set to perform the first fully electric experimental flight of its Heart Experimental 1 (Heart X1) at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York in 2025. This milestone flight will make the Heart X1 the largest fully electric aircraft to ever take to the skies. The flight is part of the ongoing development of Heart Aerospace’s 30-seat hybrid-electric regional passenger aircraft, the ES-30. The
OR Tambo Airport Refueling Issues Cause Potential Flight Delays
OR Tambo International Airport is currently experiencing “refuelling challenges” that are affecting airlines’ ability to refuel aircraft as usual. The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) issued a statement on Monday, acknowledging that some flights may face delays due to the issue. “We understand the inconvenience this may cause, and our technicians are working diligently to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. We will continue to provide updates to
US Ports Anticipate Surge in Imports Amid Potential Strike and Tariff Increase
With a potential strike looming at East and Gulf Coast ports in January and President-elect Donald Trump planning to raise tariffs, the United States’ major container ports are expected to experience a continued surge in imports. The latest Global Port Tracker report, released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, forecasts that the surge will last until spring 2025. “Either a strike or new tariffs would be a
Onomichi Dockyard to Divest Stake in Colombo Dockyard Amid Financial Struggles
Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard Company has announced plans to divest its 51% stake in Colombo Dockyard PLC, Sri Lanka’s largest shipbuilding and repair facility. The company also intends to end a management agreement that has been in place for over 30 years. This decision follows significant financial difficulties for Colombo Dockyard, which reported losses exceeding US$25 million in 2023. Colombo Dockyard is currently in preliminary talks with several interested parties regarding
Algoa Bay bunkering revival a game changer for South Africa’s maritime industry
The reopening of offshore bunkering in Algoa Bay represents more than just a return to operations—it signals an opportunity to reshape South Africa’s maritime industry and solidify its position in the global blue economy. Durand Naidoo, CEO of Linsen Nambi, emphasized the significance of this moment: “By addressing past challenges and embracing new opportunities, Algoa Bay can set a benchmark for sustainable and efficient offshore bunkering. With collaboration between government,
IATA Highlights Persistent Challenges with Blocked Aviation Funds
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has raised concerns over several countries preventing airlines from repatriating their earnings, a situation that significantly impacts the global aviation industry. As of October 2024, $1.7 billion in airline funds remain blocked, although this reflects a slight improvement compared to $1.8 billion in April 2024. Regional Trends in Blocked Funds IATA highlighted reductions in blocked funds in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Algeria, and Ethiopia
Biden’s Lobito Visit Highlights Strategic Push for Africa’s Mineral Corridor
In a landmark visit to Lobito, Angola, U.S. President Joe Biden met with African leaders to strengthen commercial ties and counter China’s growing influence on the continent. The focus of the summit was a transformative plan to develop the Lobito Corridor—a railway that will transport critical minerals from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to global markets. The United States has pledged a $550 million loan to rehabilitate
African Airlines Record Slowest Growth in Global Air Cargo Market
Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that African airlines experienced the slowest growth in the global air cargo market in October 2024. The IATA report compares global and regional air cargo traffic and capacity for October 2024 with the same period in 2023. African carriers contributed just 2% to the global air cargo market, marking a low market share. In October 2024, African airlines saw a modest