Luanda – The strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor and enhanced cooperation between Africa and the European Union (EU) were key topics at the EU high-level conference held this week in Rome, Italy. The event aimed to strengthen ties between African nations and the EU.
Under the theme “The Mattei Plan for Africa and the EU’s Global Gateway: A Common Effort with the African Continent,” the conference brought together political leaders and private sector representatives to discuss concrete cooperation initiatives involving Italy, the EU, and African countries.
An Angolan delegation, led by Ambassador Maria Cuandina de Carvalho and accompanied by Angola’s Ambassador to Italy, Maria de Fátima Jardim, participated in the discussions, according to a statement accessed by ANGOP on Saturday.
Speakers at the event emphasized the Lobito Corridor’s strategic role in linking Africa’s interior to the Atlantic Ocean, benefiting landlocked countries such as Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
More than just a trade route, the corridor is a critical gateway for these nations to access global markets, facilitating the export of minerals, agricultural products, and manufactured goods.
Stretching 1,866 kilometers, the Benguela Railway (CFB) serves as a vital connection between Angola’s interior and coastline, as well as neighboring countries.
From Luau, it links to the railway systems of DRC’s Katanga province and Zambia. Through Zambia, the corridor extends to Beira (Mozambique) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), further integrating regional trade networks.
Eugénio Fernandes, Director General of Angola’s Ministry of Transport, highlighted the corridor’s economic and social significance for Southern Africa.
The conference featured three thematic sessions focusing on ongoing projects and synergies between Italy’s Mattei Plan and the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
Parallel sessions explored additional aspects of the Euro-African partnership, including digital infrastructure, Euro-Mediterranean energy cooperation, and the African coffee value chain.
This event followed the 2024 Italy-Africa Summit and occurred a month after Angola’s President João Lourenço assumed leadership of the African Union.
Both the Mattei Plan and the Global Gateway prioritize sustainable and strategic investments, aligning with Africa’s needs while supporting the EU and Italy’s economic security interests.
According to the Italian government, these initiatives aim to drive long-term socio-economic development by fostering private sector participation and knowledge transfer.
