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.
From there, it will integrate with Angola’s existing Benguela railway, providing direct access to the Port of Lobito on the Atlantic Ocean.
Designed to streamline the export of copper, cobalt, and agricultural goods, the Lobito Corridor is expected to significantly enhance regional trade efficiency and diversify Zambia’s export routes.
“The Lobito Corridor is a key priority for the government,” Tayali said.
“We are currently engaged in financing discussions and are optimistic that construction will begin by the third quarter of 2026.”
Once operational, the corridor will not only reduce transport costs and travel times but also ease the burden on Zambia’s southern export routes through countries like South Africa and Mozambique.
The project aligns with broader regional integration goals and supports Zambia’s ambitions to become a logistics and trade hub in Southern Africa.
It is also expected to play a crucial role in unlocking mining sector growth by improving access to global markets.
Financing negotiations are ongoing, with support expected from a combination of public-private partnerships and multilateral development institutions.
