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The Zambian government has called for increased private sector involvement in the Lobito Corridor to drive sustainable growth and economic development across the participating countries.
Speaking at the official opening of the Lobito Corridor Secretariat on Wednesday, Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali, emphasized the corridor’s transformative potential.
The Secretariat, located on Lobito Island in Angola, will oversee the operationalization of the corridor, which connects Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Tayali highlighted that the corridor would not only enhance connectivity between the member states but also advance 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 the three-member countries,” he said.
Tayali described the Secretariat’s establishment as a significant milestone.
Angola’s Minister of Transport, Dr. Ricardo Daniel Sandão Queirós Veigas de Abreu, reaffirmed Angola’s commitment, announcing that the Angolan government would allocate approximately US$1.126 million to establish and run the Secretariat over its first three years.
“The Lobito Corridor has come to stay,” Dr. de Abreu said. “It will achieve its intended goals, thanks to the unwavering commitment of the three Presidents and the efforts of the technical committee.”
Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration at the SADC Secretariat, Angele Makombo Ntumba, expressed confidence in the project’s success, commending the collaboration among Zambia, Angola, and the DRC.
“The opening of the Lobito Corridor Secretariat marks the fruition of hard work, and I am confident the desired outcomes for the member states will be achieved,” she said.
The Lobito Corridor is expected to serve as a key trade and transport link, fostering regional integration and economic growth for Southern and Central Africa.
Meanwhile, Zambian government has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing transport infrastructure along the Lobito Corridor in partnership with Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Transport and Logistics Minister, Frank Tayali, emphasized the importance of the corridor during the second meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency in Lobito, Angola.
Key projects under the Lobito Corridor include the Jimbe One-Stop Border Post (OSB) on the Zambia-Angola border, the Jimbe Border Market, and the road linking the Jimbe OSB to Mwinilunga.
Tayali also highlighted progress on other critical infrastructure, such as access roads to the Sakanya border with the DRC on the Copperbelt, the Kambimba border in North-Western Province, and the Solwezi-Kipushi Road network.
Tayali noted that well-planned corridors could increase trade volumes by up to 30 percent, create thousands of jobs, and attract significant investment.
“The need to develop the required infrastructure and establish all the operational structures for the corridor has never been more pressing than now,” Tayali said.
He added that the Lobito Corridor was poised to reduce travel times and costs, fostering seamless trade and economic growth.
He envisioned a future where farmers, manufacturers, and miners could efficiently transport goods, access raw materials, and travel safely.
Tayali highlighted milestones achieved in connecting Zambia and Angola, including the conclusion of negotiations with the Africa Finance Corporation for the Zambia-Angola Greenfield Railway Project in September 2024.
A Conditional Concession Agreement to facilitate construction was signed on September 24, 2024, in New York.
Additionally, Tayali cited progress on the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway upgrade, a vital project supporting Zambia’s transport infrastructure.
“These developments underscore the region’s commitment to operationalizing the Lobito Corridor for mutual economic benefit,” Tayali said.
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