The Zambian government has called for greater private sector participation in the Lobito Corridor to drive sustainable economic growth across the region.
At the official opening of the Lobito Corridor Secretariat on Wednesday, Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali, underscored the transformative potential of the corridor, which connects Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Secretariat, based on Lobito Island in Angola, will oversee the corridor’s operations. Tayali noted that the corridor would not only enhance connectivity among the three nations but also contribute to the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“This is not just a transport corridor; it is an economic corridor that will transform the economies of these three countries,” he stated.
Tayali hailed the establishment of the Secretariat as a milestone in the project’s development. Angola’s Minister of Transport, Dr. Ricardo Daniel Sandão Queirós Veigas de Abreu, reiterated Angola’s commitment, announcing the allocation of US$1.126 million to run the Secretariat during its first three years.
“The Lobito Corridor is here to stay,” Dr. de Abreu affirmed. “With the unwavering commitment of the three Presidents and the technical committee’s efforts, we will achieve our goals.”
Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration at the SADC Secretariat, Angele Makombo Ntumba, expressed confidence in the success of the initiative, applauding the cooperation between Zambia, Angola, and the DRC.
“The opening of the Lobito Corridor Secretariat marks the fruition of hard work, and I am confident that the desired outcomes will be achieved,” she said.
The Lobito Corridor aims to be a crucial trade and transport link, promoting regional integration and fostering economic growth in Southern and Central Africa.
The Zambian government has pledged to continue its efforts to improve infrastructure along the corridor, working closely with Angola and the DRC.
During the second meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency in Lobito, Angola, Minister Tayali highlighted key projects under the corridor, such as the Jimbe One-Stop Border Post (OSB) at the Zambia-Angola border, the Jimbe Border Market, and the road linking the Jimbe OSB to Mwinilunga.
Tayali also emphasized progress on other critical infrastructure projects, including access roads to the Sakanya border with the DRC in the Copperbelt, the Kambimba border in North-Western Province, and the Solwezi-Kipushi Road network.
He stressed that well-planned corridors could increase trade by up to 30 percent, create thousands of jobs, and attract substantial investment.
“The need to develop the required infrastructure and operational structures for the corridor is more urgent than ever,” Tayali stated.
He highlighted that the Lobito Corridor would reduce travel times and costs, enabling seamless trade and boosting economic growth.
Tayali envisioned a future where farmers, manufacturers, and miners could efficiently transport goods, access raw materials, and travel safely.
He also pointed out significant progress, including the completion of negotiations with the Africa Finance Corporation for the Zambia-Angola Greenfield Railway Project in September 2024.
A Conditional Concession Agreement for the project was signed on September 24, 2024, in New York.
Additionally, Tayali mentioned advancements in the upgrade of the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway, a vital infrastructure project supporting Zambia’s transport network.
“These developments demonstrate the region’s commitment to operationalizing the Lobito Corridor for the mutual economic benefit of all involved,” Tayali concluded.
