President Hakainde Hichilema foresees a significant economic shift for Zambia, with a US-backed project poised to link the nation’s copper mines to Angola’s port of Lobito, offering unprecedented opportunities.
This ambitious initiative, supported by global powers like the US, EU, and G7, aims to establish the Lobito Corridor, a transformative railway network spanning Zambia and Angola.
The Lobito Corridor project promises to revolutionize transit times for mining supplies and exports, aligning with the Biden administration’s energy transition goals while countering China’s regional influence.
President Hichilema views this as a generational chance to bolster Zambia’s economy and business prospects, already evidenced by trial shipments from the DRC, which reached Lobito in a fraction of the time compared to conventional routes.
In parallel, China has proposed reviving the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) line, offering a cost-effective alternative.
President Hichilema aims to finalize this arrangement by September, potentially entrusting Tazara’s commercial activities to a Chinese corporation.
Zambia faces a pivotal decision between the Lobito Corridor’s efficiency and the Tazara Revival’s affordability, each with profound implications for its economic trajectory and global alliances.
