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
Category: Railway News
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
Strategic Rail Investments Position Africa as Global Mining Powerhouse
Africa’s railway sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by ambitious infrastructure projects that aim to unlock the continent’s vast mineral wealth and strengthen global trade connections. At the heart of this renaissance is the development of strategic transport corridors that are rapidly reshaping regional logistics. In June 2025, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) secured a €250 million, 10-year loan from Italian development finance institution Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. The
DRC Highlights Strategic Role of Lobito Corridor at US-Africa Business Summit
At the 17th US-Africa Business Summit, which opened on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Luanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor in its economic transformation ambitions. Representing President Félix Tshisekedi, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba, emphasized that this rail corridor—linking southern DRC to the Atlantic Ocean via Angola’s port of Lobito—provides “a direct and vital access” to global
Simandou Railway Tunnel Breakthrough Marks Major Milestone in Guinea’s Mining Project
The Simandou mining project in Guinea-Conakry has achieved a significant milestone with the successful breakthrough of a key tunnel on the Transguinean Railway’s connector route. The announcement was made on June 20 during a ceremony held in Beyla Prefecture, attended by government officials, local leaders, and project partners. “This tunnel breakthrough represents a major step forward in the construction of the Simandou railway,” said Ibrahima Souley Camara, Prefect of Beyla.
Lobito Corridor Gains Global Momentum as Zambia Deepens EU-Italy Partnerships
Zambia has strengthened its global development partnerships following a high-level summit on the Mattei Plan and the European Union’s Global Gateway, held in Rome. The meeting, co-hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reaffirmed Italy and the EU’s support for Zambia through the transformative Lobito Corridor Project. Representing Zambia at the summit was Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. Dr. Situmbeko