Lobito Atlantic Railway close to securing $533M US loan to modernize Angola’s key copper and cobalt export route Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) expects to finalize a $533 million loan agreement with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) by the end of this year, according to CEO Nicholas Fournier. The financing is crucial to upgrading its Angolan railway concession and strengthening a vital export corridor for critical minerals. The DFC
Category: Railway News
Lobito Atlantic Railways Strengthens Leadership with New CEO and Chairperson Appointments
Lobito Atlantic Railways Names Nicholas Fournier CEO and Alexandre Canas Chair to Drive Angola’s Transport Corridor Expansion Angola’s rail operator Lobito Atlantic Railways (LAR) has announced a significant leadership change, appointing Nicholas Fournier as CEO and Alexandre Canas as chairperson on August 19. The move marks the formal separation of the two roles, a step aimed at strengthening governance as the company enters a crucial phase of operational growth. With
Kenya Seeks $4 Billion to Expand China-Built Railway
Kenya to Raise $4B for Railway Expansion, in Talks With Etihad Rail for Freight Operations Kenya plans to raise $4 billion by securitising an import levy to fund the extension of its China-built standard gauge railway (SGR) and is in talks with Etihad Rail to operate freight services, Transport Secretary Davis Chirchir announced. Under the plan, Kenya Railways Corp. will oversee engineering and maintenance, while private operators—including Etihad Rail—would run
Transnet Faces Prolonged Cash Burn as S&P Downgrades Credit Rating
S&P Downgrades Transnet, Warns of Cash Burn Through 2027 Without Government Support Transnet, South Africa’s state-owned freight rail and ports operator, is expected to burn cash for at least the next three years, according to a new forecast by S&P Global Ratings, as reported by BusinessLive on Tuesday. Citing an unsustainable capital structure in the absence of ongoing state support, S&P downgraded Transnet’s credit rating. The agency also warned that
Lobito Rail Project Gains U.S. Momentum as Gateway for Africa’s Copper and Cobalt
U.S. Supports Lobito Corridor Rail Project Linking DRC, Angola, and Zambia to Accelerate Mineral Exports The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Lobito Corridor—a transformative rail project that will connect the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, and Zambia—in a move aimed at boosting regional trade and unlocking economic opportunities. Speaking in a recent interview, U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, described the Lobito Corridor as
South Africa’s Rail Sector Shows Signs of Recovery as Road Freight Declines
South Africa Rail Freight Rises to 17.9% in 2024 as Road Transport Contracts by 8.3% South Africa’s freight transport landscape is undergoing a gradual shift, with rail freight beginning to recover while road freight shows signs of contraction, according to independent economist Elize Kruger. After reaching nearly 90% of total freight payload in November 2022, the volume of goods transported by road has steadily declined, now accounting for approximately 82.1%.
Zambia Sets 2026 Date for Construction of Lobito Corridor Railway
Zambia to Begin Lobito Corridor Railway Construction in Q3 2026, Boosting Copper Exports and Trade Links with Angola Zambia plans to begin construction of the Lobito Corridor railway—a key cross-border infrastructure project connecting its Copperbelt region to Angola’s Atlantic coast—by the third quarter of 2026, according to Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali. The railway will span approximately 530 kilometres, linking Chingola in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province to Luacano in Angola.
US-Brokered Peace Deal Between DRC and Rwanda Paves Way for Mineral Investment via Lobito Corridor
US Secures Access to DRC Minerals After Landmark Peace Agreement with Rwanda Boosts Lobito Corridor Plans The United States has secured a major diplomatic and strategic win in its push to access mineral-rich ore deposits from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), just days after Zambia confirmed it will proceed with construction on a key rail link to the Lobito Corridor. In a landmark development, the US—working alongside Qatar
Liberia Signs $1.8 Billion Deal with Ivanhoe Atlantic to Revamp Railway for Guinea Iron Ore Exports
Liberia, Ivanhoe Atlantic Ink $1.8B Railway Deal to Export Guinea Iron Ore via Revamped Corridor The Government of Liberia has signed a $1.8 billion infrastructure agreement with U.S.-based Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc., enabling the mining company to rehabilitate and utilize Liberia’s railway network for transporting iron ore from neighboring Guinea to export markets. The U.S. Embassy in Liberia described the deal as “a crucial step” in advancing President Joseph Boakai’s agenda
DRC Launches $257 Million Railway Modernization Project to Boost Regional Connectivity
DRC Signs $257M Railway Deal to Modernize Kisangani–Ubundu Line and Boost Regional Trade The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has taken a significant step toward revitalizing its national railway network with the signing of a $257 million concession contract on Friday, July 4, 2025. The agreement focuses on the rehabilitation and modernization of the 115-kilometer Kisangani–Ubundu railway line in the country’s northeast. The official signing ceremony was presided over by