The recent signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Zambia and Angola marks a pivotal milestone in the development of the Lobito Corridor—one of Africa’s most ambitious and transformative infrastructure initiatives. Witnessed by the highest levels of both governments, the agreement affirms a joint commitment to develop, finance, construct, and operate an 830-kilometre railway from Luacano in Angola to Chingola in Zambia. For decades, Africa’s capacity to independently envision and
Category: Central Africa
Loano Airport Modernization Project Launched in Lubumbashi
The long-awaited modernization of Loano Airport in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga officially kicked off on April 18, 2025. The project is being executed by Summa Group, a Turkish construction and infrastructure firm. Selim Bora, Chairman and CEO of Summa, presented the project to President Félix Tshisekedi, who laid the symbolic foundation stone to mark the start of construction. While the presidency confirmed the Congolese government had contracted a specialized firm for the
DRC’s Sudden Visa Policy Change Burdens Cross-Border Hauliers
The abrupt termination of the visa-free agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe has imposed significant financial and operational challenges on cross-border hauliers serving Haut-Katanga Province’s mining sector. Over the past two weeks, transport companies were informed that Zimbabwean truck drivers must now obtain work visas to operate legally within the DRC. Implemented without prior notice by the DRC’s Direction Générale de Migration (DGM), the new
DP World Aims for 2026 Completion of DRC’s Banana Deepwater Port
Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa recently met with executives from DP World in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to discuss progress on the Banana deepwater port project, a major infrastructure development underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During the meeting, DP World representatives indicated that the first phase of the project—initially scheduled for completion in 2025—is now expected to be finalized in 2026. Prime Minister Suminwa confirmed that, if
DRC Prime Minister Calls for Acceleration of Lobito Corridor Development
Speaking at the 38th Meeting of the Council of Ministers at the African Union City, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka emphasized the urgent need to accelerate development projects along the Lobito Corridor. In her address, the Prime Minister highlighted the Italian government’s launch of a new partnership model with Africa, rooted in the Mattei Plan—an initiative focused on fostering equitable and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Mattei Plan prioritizes joint identification
Lobito Corridor and EU-Africa Cooperation Take Center Stage at Rome Conference
Luanda – The strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor and enhanced cooperation between Africa and the European Union (EU) were key topics at the EU high-level conference held this week in Rome, Italy. The event aimed to strengthen ties between African nations and the EU. Under the theme “The Mattei Plan for Africa and the EU’s Global Gateway: A Common Effort with the African Continent,” the conference brought together political
DP World and Mota-Engil to Develop DRC’s First Deep-Sea Port
DP World has appointed multinational construction firm Mota-Engil to lead the development of the Port of Banana in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), positioning the country as a key trade hub in the region. Located in Kongo Central province on the Atlantic coast, the port represents a major infrastructure investment aimed at reducing business costs and strengthening the DRC’s economic independence. As the country’s first fully equipped maritime
DRC Prioritizes Local Transporters in Cross-Border Freight Regulations
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport, Communication Channels, and Accessibility, Abolia Taba Mopolo, convened a meeting in Kolwezi on Thursday, March 13, 2025, bringing together representatives from mining companies, the General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA), the National Road Safety Commission (CNPR), and the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC Lualaba). The meeting focused on implementing Ministerial Decree No. VPM/MTVCD/CAB/011/2025, issued on February 25, 2025, which regulates cross-border transport
AGL Secures $250 Million Financing for Expansion of Pointe Noire Port in Congo-Brazzaville
Africa Global Logistics (AGL), through its subsidiary Congo Terminal, has secured approximately US$250 million in financing to develop the container terminal at the Autonomous Port of Pointe Noire (PAPN) in Congo-Brazzaville. The funds will be used to construct a 750-meter quay, covering 28 hectares with a depth of 17 meters. The overall project, estimated to cost US$393 million, is set to take three years to complete. The financing package follows
Air Cargo Traffic Declines in Africa and DRC as Global Growth Continues IATA Report Shows
African airlines experienced a 3.4% decline in air cargo traffic in January 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This decline occurred despite a 5.4% increase in capacity, revealing a significant underutilization of available infrastructure. Africa, along with the Middle East (-8.4%), is one of the few regions globally to report a decrease in air freight volumes.