Lobito Atlantic Railway Facilitates First Copper and Cobalt Shipment from DRC to Global Markets In a landmark milestone for the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR), Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) and Trafigura announced the first delivery of copper and cobalt along the corridor linking the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Angola’s deep-water port of Lobito. EGC, a state-owned entity responsible for purchasing cobalt from artisanal producers in the DRC, has
Category: Central Africa
DRC Seals Major Concession Agreement for $600 Million Kasumbalesa Dry Port
DRC Signs $600 Million Kasumbalesa Dry Port Deal to Boost Regional Logistics and Jobs Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Communications, and Rural Development Jean-Pierre Bemba presided over the signing ceremony on Monday, December 1, 2025, for the concession contract to build, operate, and transfer the new Kasumbalesa dry port. The agreement was concluded between the Office of Multimodal Freight Management (Ogefrem) and the South African private company Yellowstone
Ethiopian Airlines Strengthens Central African Strategy Through Air Congo Partnership
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Influence in Central Africa with Air Congo Fleet Upgrade and New ATR 72-600s Ethiopian Airlines is accelerating its strategic expansion across Africa—this time by reinforcing its presence in Central Africa through Air Congo, the young Congolese carrier in which it holds a 49% stake. While Ethiopian continues to increase its investments and aircraft orders, it is steadily consolidating regional influence through this growing partnership. Before its major
Train Service Between Kananga and Lubumbashi Resumes Ahead of Schedule
Congo’s SNCC Restores Kananga–Lubumbashi Train Service Earlier Than Planned Train service between Kananga (Kasaï Central) and Lubumbashi (Haut-Katanga) officially resumed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, according to Emmanuel Kalonji, Director of the North Region Department at the National Railway Company of Congo (SNCC). Originally planned for November 15, the reopening was moved forward following a meeting with local business leaders.“Our customers could not wait any longer. After consultation, we decided
DRC Seeks $500 Million World Bank Support for Lobito Corridor Project
DRC requests $500M from World Bank to develop Lobito Corridor, boosting regional trade and infrastructure During the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Finance Minister, Doudou Fwamba, submitted a $500 million financing request to the World Bank to support the Lobito Corridor project. The Finance Ministry confirmed that the institution has agreed to review the proposal. In discussions with World Bank Managing Director for
DRC Launches International Call for Railway Assembly Plant Investment
DRC Seeks International Partners to Build Train, Locomotive, and Wagon Assembly Plant The Ministry of Transport, Communication Routes, and Accessibility has launched an international call for expressions of interest for the construction of a national assembly plant for trains, locomotives, and wagons. According to the official document signed by Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, the project aims to identify technical, industrial, and financial partners for
DRC Accelerates Railway Revamp to Boost Trade and Connectivity
Congo’s New Railway Projects Strengthen Links to Angola, Zambia, and the Atlantic Congo’s New Railway Projects Strengthen Links to Angola, Zambia, and the AtlanticThe Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is advancing major railway upgrades aimed at improving regional trade and logistics. In early September 2025, a joint EU–US delegation presented prefeasibility results for the DRC’s section of the Lobito Corridor—a 1,300-km transport route linking Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito
Brazzaville-Kinshasa Road-Rail Bridge Poised to Transform Trade and Connectivity in Central Africa
Brazzaville-Kinshasa Road-Rail Bridge: Connecting Two Capitals Across the Congo River Brazzaville and Kinshasa, the capitals of the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are separated by only a few kilometers of the Congo River, yet remain disconnected by any permanent infrastructure. Currently, travel between the two cities relies exclusively on ferry services, which are often unreliable. A proposed road-rail bridge promises to transform this connection,
Kasomeno-Mwenda Toll Road Set to Transform DRC-Zambia Trade Corridor
Kasomeno-Mwenda Toll Road Project in DRC and Zambia to Boost Trade, Cut Travel Time, and Create Jobs The Kasomeno-Mwenda Toll Road is a landmark infrastructure project connecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, designed to enhance regional trade, transportation efficiency, and economic development. The project encompasses the construction of 184 kilometers of modernized highway—split evenly between Zambia (92 km) and the DRC (92 km)—a 362-meter cable-stayed bridge over
DRC, Angola, Zambia, and EU Forge Strategic Alliance to Accelerate Lobito Corridor Development
DRC, Angola, Zambia, and European Union Partner to Boost Trade, Infrastructure, and Mining Value Chains Through Lobito Corridor On the sidelines of the Global Gateway Forum, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola, and Zambia signed a landmark cooperation agreement with the European Union (EU) to accelerate the integrated development of the Lobito Corridor—a key initiative aimed at enhancing trade, transport infrastructure, and industrial competitiveness across Central Africa. The