The Zambian government has signed Letters of Intent with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union (EU) to advance critical infrastructure under the Lobito Corridor initiative, a regional transport project aimed at enhancing trade and connectivity between Zambia and Angola.
The agreements were signed by Zambia’s Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, on the sidelines of the High-Level Meeting on the “Mattei Plan and the EU Global Gateway,” held in Rome on June 20.
Under the AfDB-backed agreement, Zambia will construct 550 kilometers of railway from Chingola to the Angola border and develop an additional 260 kilometers of main roads stretching from Chisese through Mwinilunga to Jimbe.
The projects are intended to facilitate greater regional integration and support Zambia’s economic diversification strategy.
A separate Letter of Intent exchanged with the EU reaffirmed both parties’ commitment to the successful implementation of the Lobito Corridor, which connects Zambia to the Atlantic Ocean via Angola.
This corridor is expected to open up new trade and investment opportunities across Southern Africa.
Dr. Musokotwane emphasized that the agreements reflect Zambia’s commitment to sustainable development and regional cooperation.
The Rome meeting was co-chaired by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and was attended by high-level delegations from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia.
-Zambia Daily Mail