DRC Begins Construction of $230M Likasi-Solwezi Road to Boost Trade with Zambia The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially launched construction of the 160-kilometer Likasi-Solwezi road, a major infrastructure project aimed at enhancing trade with neighboring Zambia. The project, valued at $230 million, was announced on July 8, 2025, by Haut-Katanga Governor Jacques Kyabula during a visit to Likasi, the province’s second-largest city. Construction is expected to be completed
Category: Southern Africa
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
Angola’s TAAG Airlines to Acquire Boeing 787s in $297M U.S.-Backed Deal
Angola’s TAAG Secures $297M EXIM-Backed Deal for Boeing 787 Jets to Boost Luanda’s New Aviation Hub Angola’s state-owned airline, TAAG Angola Airlines, is set to acquire Boeing 787-10 wide-body aircraft and General Electric Aerospace engines through a $297 million financing package backed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM). The agreement, announced Wednesday, will support the delivery of new aircraft and spare engines while strengthening U.S. manufacturing jobs and Angola’s aviation
Durban and Richards Bay Airports Expand to Boost Airfreight Growth
Durban and Richards Bay Airports Drive Airfreight Growth with Major Expansion Plans Expansion projects at Durban and Richards Bay airports are underway or in the planning stages to accommodate rising airfreight volumes in the region. Durban’s airfreight operator, Dube Cargo Terminal at King Shaka International Airport, opened a new public bonded warehouse on April 1. In May, the Dube TradePort Corporation (DTPC) unveiled the second phase of its Aeropark and
Transnet Reports Throughput Gains Amid Ongoing Equipment Challenges
South Africa’s state-owned terminal operator, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), has reported improved vessel handling performance in May 2025, with several container terminals exceeding compliance targets for arrivals, berthing, and departures. According to a TPT statement, performance aligned with shipping agreements at three of its five container terminals. The Ngqura Container Terminal achieved a 96% compliance rate, while Port Elizabeth and Cape Town Container Terminals (CTCT) recorded 86% and 83% respectively.
Policy Shift Triggers Delays on Trans Kalahari Trade Route
Botswana Border Policy Fuels Delays, Congestion on Trans Kalahari Corridor as Calls Grow for Regional Coordination As trade volumes continue to surge across southern Africa, the urgency for harmonised policies and coordinated regional logistics has become more critical—particularly along vital trade arteries like the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC). A unilateral decision by Botswana in November 2024 to halt the consolidation of cargo at its borders has had far-reaching consequences. The
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
Container Losses Double in 2024 as Red Sea Crisis Forces Global Shipping to Riskier Cape Route
Cape Route Chaos: Surge in Containers Lost at Sea as Global Shipping Reroutes Around Africa Global shipping has entered a period of heightened operational risk, with the number of containers lost at sea more than doubling in 2024 compared to the previous year. New data from the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) attributes the increase to a surge in vessels rerouting around the