The Lobito Corridor project, connecting four African countries, is set for implementation after the US awarded a grant for an environmental assessment study. The 780km railway will link the Lobito rail line in Angola to Zambia, with the African Finance Corporation leading the development. The project received a $2 million grant for an environmental and social impact assessment from the US Trade and Development Agency.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, welcomed Tanzania to the project aimed at connecting the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. The expansion to include Tanzania will facilitate mineral transportation and bolster economic development in the region.
The project is part of the US government’s efforts to support infrastructure development in Africa, with over $4 billion committed so far. Once completed, the Zambia-Lobito Rail Corridor will create a trans-continental trade route benefiting various sectors and promoting economic growth across the continent.
US priority
The project will reshape the economic landscape of Angola, Zambia, and the DRC, fostering trade and economic activity. It aligns with the US government’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment initiative, emphasizing private sector-driven sustainable development in emerging markets.