The Lobito Railway Line Set to Transform Regional Trade

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In a significant development for regional infrastructure, Senior Advisor to the US President Joe Biden on Energy and Investment, Amos Hochstein, has revealed that construction is set to begin on the 800-kilometer Lobito railway line and trade corridor in 2026, with completion expected by 2028.

Addressing attendees at the Lobito Corridor Private Sector Investor Forum in Lusaka on February 8, 2024, alongside President Hakainde Hichilema, Hochstein announced that an additional $1 billion in funding had been secured for the project. The Lobito route stands as the shortest path for copper exports from both Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo's Copperbelt region.

"With the collaborative efforts of the European Union, the African Development Bank, and the Africa Finance Corporation, along with the governments of Angola, the DRC, and Zambia, as showcased at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels last October, we have mobilized nearly $1 billion to expand the Lobito Corridor," stated Biden's senior advisor during the gathering in Lusaka.

Initial concerns about Zambia's involvement in the project were dispelled, as it was confirmed that the rail line will traverse from the North Western Province of Zambia, through the DR Congo, and extend to the Atlantic Ocean port of Lobito, Angola.

"The Zambia-Lobito Rail line holds the key to reducing the cost, time, and environmental impact of goods and products moving through the region, thus catalyzing business and economic growth along the corridor. Our goal is to commence construction in 2026 and have an operational rail link between eastern Angola and northwestern Zambia by 2028," Hochstein affirmed.

The announcement underscores the significance of infrastructure development in fostering economic integration and growth across borders. The Lobito railway project represents a pivotal step towards enhancing trade connectivity and facilitating smoother movement of goods within the region.

As construction gears up to commence in 2026, stakeholders eagerly anticipate the transformative impact that the Lobito railway line will have on regional trade dynamics, unlocking new opportunities for economic prosperity and collaboration across borders. 

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