A billion-dollar expansion of Africa’s most strategic U.S.-backed critical minerals project is now in limbo due to a foreign aid freeze under the Trump administration—creating an opening for China to expand its influence. At the center of the crisis is the Lobito Corridor railway project, a key infrastructure initiative designed to transport copper and cobalt from the Central African Copperbelt—home to some of the world’s richest deposits—to the Angolan coast
Category: Railway News
Zambia’s Lobito Corridor Project Key to Economic Growth and EV Battery Hub Development
Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Frank Tayali, has underscored the Lobito Corridor Project as a transformative initiative that will position Zambia as a leading hub for electric vehicle (EV) battery production and assembly. Speaking at the Lobito Corridor Stakeholder Discussion during the recent Mining Indaba in South Africa, Hon. Tayali reaffirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging the project’s benefits through regulatory reforms in the EV industry. The Lobito
Tanzania and Burundi Sign $2.15 Billion Railway Deal to Boost Regional Connectivity
On January 29, 2025, Tanzania and Burundi signed an agreement to construct a 282-kilometer Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Uvinza in Tanzania to Musongati in Burundi. The $2.15 billion project, awarded to China Railway Engineering Group Co. Ltd (CREGC) and China Railway Engineering Design and Consulting Group Co. Ltd (CREDC), is set for completion within 72 months. The signing ceremony took place at the John Pombe Magufuli SGR station in
DP World and NSW Ports Invest A$400 Million to Expand Port Botany Rail Terminal
DP World and NSW Ports have announced a joint A$400 million investment to expand the rail terminal at Port Botany in Sydney, significantly increasing its annual rail capacity from 400,000 TEUs to 1 million TEUs. The expansion will include five new rail sidings designed to accommodate 600-meter-long regional trains. Construction is set to begin in June and will take two years to complete. Nicolaj Noes, Executive Vice President of DP
ANC Pushes for Debt-Relief Package to Revive Transnet
South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), plans to request the National Treasury to implement a one-off debt-relief package for state-owned rail and ports operator Transnet ahead of the February budget announcement. According to Zuko Godlimpi, Deputy Head of the ANC’s Economic Transformation Committee, Transnet requires support akin to the R254-billion debt-relief package granted to Eskom Holdings in 2023. Godlimpi emphasized that Transnet’s efficient operation is critical to
Zambia Pushes for Private Sector Role in Transforming the Lobito Corridor
The Zambian government has called for greater private sector participation in the Lobito Corridor to drive sustainable economic growth across the region. At the official opening of the Lobito Corridor Secretariat on Wednesday, Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali, underscored the transformative potential of the corridor, which connects Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Secretariat, based on Lobito Island in Angola, will oversee the
SADC Ministers Convene in Lobito to Discuss Agency’s Organizational Framework
Members of the Committee of Ministers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are meeting today in Benguela to deliberate on the organizational structure of the Agency. This marks the second meeting of the group, held in the rail-port city of Lobito. The discussions aim to refine the framework and operations of the Agency, aligning it with SADC’s goals of regional cooperation and sustainable development. Lobito, renowned for its strategic
EU Commits to Supporting Sustainable Development of Lobito Corridor
The European Union (EU) has expressed its interest in participating in the development of the Lobito Corridor, recognizing its potential for sustainable and inclusive economic diversification, including increased household income in the region. Sylvie Millot, Head of the EU’s Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Unit, confirmed this on Friday in Benguela, following a courtesy meeting with the provincial governor of Benguela. She emphasized that the Lobito Corridor is a key
AIA Calls for Feasibility Study to Enhance Lobito Corridor’s Economic Impact
Members of the Angolan Industrial Association (AIA) have emphasized the importance of conducting a feasibility study for the construction of connection branches between key large-scale production centers and the Lobito Corridor. This initiative is seen as a priority to maximize the economic benefits of this significant infrastructure, which serves both the Angolan economy and the southern region of Africa. The message was conveyed by the president of the association, José
SADC Ministers to Convene for the 2nd Lobito Corridor Committee Meeting
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat is set to host the 2nd meeting of the Lobito Corridor Committee of Ministers, bringing together representatives from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia. The Ministers will assess progress made by the Technical Working Group, established during their inaugural meeting on December 16, 2023, in Lobito, Angola. This group was tasked with setting up and operationalizing the Lobito Corridor Transit