The African Development Bank (AfDB) spearheaded a landmark initiative in October 2023 by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S., the European Commission, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and the governments of Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to develop the Lobito Corridor. This ambitious project aims to connect the DRC and Zambia’s copper belts to international markets via Angola’s Port of Lobito, positioning southern
Category: Central Africa
Tanzania Port Authority Reduces Wharfage Port Charges to Boost Trade with Zambia
The Tanzania Port Authority has recently announced a significant reduction in Wharfage Port Charges for containerized cargo bound for Zambia, slashing rates by over 50%. This move aims to alleviate the financial burden on businesses and enhance the efficiency of trade operations. Transport and Logistics Minister, Frank Tayali, has expressed satisfaction with this decision, noting its potential to stimulate trade between Tanzania and Zambia. He emphasized that the lowered charges
Mozambique: LAM’s first cargo plane to start operating from March 25th
Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM) is set to inaugurate its first cargo operations starting March 25th, utilizing a newly acquired Boeing 737-300F aircraft, as announced by the company’s general director to Lusa. With an investment of US$3 million (€2.74 million) in this venture, LAM aims to bolster its logistics capabilities. Primarily catering to domestic cargo needs and serving routes to South Africa and Tanzania, the introduction of the Boeing 737-300F
US Backs Lobito Corridor Railway with Record Investment
In February of this year, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced groundbreaking financing to bolster the Lobito Corridor—a transformative 1,300-km railway linking Angola’s Port of Lobito with southern DRC and northwestern Zambia. This initiative, supported by a consortium including the European Commission, African Development Bank, and Africa Finance Corporation, has already secured nearly $1 billion, marking the largest joint investment by the U.S. and EU in Africa in
DRC grants traffic rights to Qatar Airways
The Qatari airline, Qatar Airways, has obtained traffic rights in Congolese airspace and could begin serving the DRC during the year 2024, the Congolese authorities announced on Tuesday March 5. The convention was signed in Doha, Qatar, during the visit of the President of the Republic Félix Tshisekedi to the Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. “As for the agreement that we signed to grant traffic rights to Qatar Airways, we
Africa Global Logistics Commences Operations at Port of Lobito
Africa Global Logistics (AGL) marked a significant milestone last week as it received the first cargo ship at the Port of Lobito in the Benguela province of Angola. The arrival of the ship at the general cargo terminal signals the formalization of AGL’s activities in operating the Multipurpose terminal at Porto do Lobito. Managed by the firm Seatrade, the cargo ship, measuring 169.37 meters long, brought 6,500 tons of rice
US CALLS FOR PROGRESS ON ZAMBIA-LOBITO RAIL-LINE
United States President JOE BIDEN’s Senior Advisor AMOS HOCHSTEIN has called for an accelerated path towards achieving a bankable concession agreement for the new Zambia-Lobito rail line. Mr. HOCHSTEIN says this must be aligned with host country laws, and coordinate additional investment projects that complement and benefit from the core transportation investment. He says the project will also come along with infrastructure investments in digital access, clean energy and energy
Angola’s ANTT and UIC Forge Partnership to Enhance Railway Sector
Enio Costa, President of the Board of Directors (PCA) of the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT), held discussions with Christian Chavanel, Director of Systems and Coordinator for Africa of the International Railway Union (UIC), in Luanda on Monday. The meeting aimed to discuss restructuring processes and enhancing technical capacity in response to investments aimed at boosting the national railway sector. Costa emphasized the need for technical training for staff, particularly
Republic of Congo: Eni to Launch First LNG Carrier
The Republic of the Congo is preparing to make its first LNG shipment from its Tango FLNG facility. The cargo is currently being loaded and will be delivered to the Piombino regasification terminal in Italy in the coming days. The announcement was made by energy supermajor Eni on February 27 during a launch ceremony in Pointe Noire in the presence of the Republic of the Congo’s President Denis Sassou N’Guesso,
Angola’s SGA and Changi Airports International Forge Partnership to Enhance Regional Airports
Angola’s Airport Management Company (SGA Angola) and Singapore’s renowned airport consulting firm, Changi Airports International (CAI), have inked a pivotal two-year partnership aimed at optimizing the operational efficiency and profitability of 16 regional airports across southern Africa. The collaboration entails CAI leveraging its extensive experience to bolster air traffic development at Angola’s airports, with a strategic focus on enhancing domestic and regional connectivity. Additionally, the partnership will spearhead targeted marketing