Name of the Project
Lobito Corridor Railway project.

Location
The railway line extends across Angola for almost 1 300 km between the Port of Lobito to Luau, in eastern Angola, and connects with the rail network run by the National Railway Society of the Congo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Kolwezi in the heart of the Copperbelt.

Project Owner/s
A 30-year concession has been awarded to Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) consortium comprising Trafigura, Mota-Engil and Vecturis SA.

Project Description
This project is expected to provide a critical link for the transport of copper, cobalt and other essential goods from the mineral-rich areas of the DRC to international markets through the Lobito port.

The Lobito rail corridor has great potential to boost the development of sectors along the line, including heavy industry, agriculture and mining, creating new jobs and new opportunities. 

The project entails the finance, build, operate and transfer of a 1 289 km brownfield railway main line from Lobito to Negrao and the Luau border, as well as a 28 km railway branch line from Negrao to Bimbas.

The investment will include 1 555 wagons and 35 locomotives for the Angolan side of the corridor and the investment in training and skills, with dedicated training centres already in place at Huambo and Lobito.

There is the potential to extend the line into Zambia, extending its benefits across the region.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The project is valued at about $786.4-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has, alongside the US International Development Finance Corporation, approved funding of up to $200-million for the Lobito Corridor Railway project.

The funding will support the construction and upgrading of the railway infrastructure, including the procurement of 50% of the required wagons from a South African manufacturing company.

The DBSA’s function within the transport sector is to pursue infrastructure investment for projects tailored for the development of bridges, roads, bus stations, railways, terminals, airports, seaports, border ports and more.

By supporting the Lobito railway corridor, DBSA will be investing in critical infrastructure and fostering economic opportunities and job creation in Angola and the DRC, it says in a statement.

The project aligns with the commitment to sustainable development and regional cooperation.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Galison Manufacturing (container wagons).

Contact Details for Project Information
Mota-Engil Press Office, Pedro Arrais, tel +351 214 158 576 or email pedro.arrais@mota-engil.pt.
Trafigura Press Office, tel +41 22 592 4528 or email media@trafigura.com.
Vecturis Press Office, Eric Pfeiffer, tel +32 2 626 26 87 or email epe@vecturis.com.