Zambia Reaffirms Its Commitment Towards the Operationalisation of the Lobito Corridor

Lobito, Angola, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 – Minister of Transport and Logistics of the Republic of Zambia, Hon. Museba Frank Tayali, MP, addressed the Second Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (LCTTFA) held in Lobito, Angola.

Hon. Tayali underscored the transformative potential of the Lobito Corridor in fostering regional trade, enhancing connectivity, and driving economic growth for Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Speaking at the meeting, Hon. Tayali described the Lobito Corridor as a critical infrastructure project poised to reduce travel time and costs, thereby facilitating seamless trade through the Port of Lobito.

“We envision a future where farmers can transport their produce to Western markets, manufacturers and mines can access raw materials with ease, and families can travel safely and efficiently. This is the future we aspire to create,” he stated.

Highlighting Zambia’s milestones, Hon. Tayali emphasised key achievements since the First Council of Ministers’ Meeting in 2024:

• Successful negotiations with the Africa Finance Corporation for the Zambia-Angola Greenfield Railway Project, culminating in the signing of a Conditional Concession Agreement on September 24, 2024, in New York.
• Progress in the upgrade of the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway, a vital link in the Corridor’s infrastructure.
• Commitment to collaborative projects with Angola and DRC, including the Jimbe One-Stop Border Post, Sakanya and Kambimba Border facilities, and the Solwezi-Kipushi Road network.

Hon. Tayali called for actionable resolutions and emphasised the importance of implementing decisions made during these meetings. “Our meeting will only be meaningful if the resolutions made are fully implemented by our technocrats. Posterity will judge us harshly if we fail to act decisively,” he said.

The Minister urged stakeholders to maintain momentum in developing the Corridor, citing studies showing that well-planned corridors can boost trade volumes by 30%, create thousands of jobs, and attract significant domestic and foreign investment.

Hon. Tayali extended his gratitude to the Angolan Government for hosting the meeting in the historic Port City of Lobito, acknowledging its strategic importance on the continent. Reiterating Zambia’s commitment to operationalising the Corridor, he said, “Together, let us shape the landscapes of tomorrow and build a Corridor that serves our communities and economies sustainably.”

The Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency is a trilateral initiative involving Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Corridor aims to enhance regional integration, improve trade logistics, and stimulate economic growth by connecting landlocked Zambia and the DRC to the Port of Lobito in Angola.