Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane has said Zambia is positioning the Lobito Corridor as a key instrument for driving an export-led economy, attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), creating jobs and increasing productivity.

Dr Musokotwane charged that the corridor must go beyond facilitating the movement of goods and become an economic corridor that stimulates industrialisation, business opportunities and production across Zambia.

He said Zambia’s vision is to use the corridor to competitively and efficiently export commodities, while developing local capacity so that Zambians actively participate in economic activities generated by increased investment.

Dr Musokotwane was speaking in Lusaka today during the official opening of the Second Lobito Corridor Coordination Meeting, which has brought together Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia and cooperating partners.

“The three governments established the Lobito Corridor Coordinating Framework, popularly known as the “Engine Room,” after recognising that numerous meetings and pronouncements were not translating into sufficient action on the ground.

Dr Musokotwane explained that the framework, established with support from the World Bank, provides a platform for the three governments and their partners to regularly review progress, make collective decisions and ensure that agreed actions are implemented.

He explained that the Engine Room also facilitates coordination on cross-border transit and investment issues while ensuring technical follow-through among ministries, agencies and development partners.

Dr Musokotwane disclosed that Zambia had made progress towards improving road connectivity along the Lobito Corridor, with the financial package already secured through partnerships involving the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Zambian government.

He said the focus was now on expediting procurement and commencing construction.

“The railway will form a critical part of Zambia’s export-led economic strategy by enabling commodities to reach international markets more cheaply, quickly and competitively,” he added.

Dr Musokotwane said Zambia’s economic vision also includes attracting significant FDI, building the capacity of citizens to participate meaningfully in investment activities and creating a conducive business environment.

He further said the government will ensure that Zambians were not merely spectators as foreign investment comes into the country, but will instead acquire the skills and capacity required to participate in the resulting economic activities.

Dr Musokotwane said the Lobito Corridor will also support the implementation of the Grow Zambia Agenda by providing a platform for increasing production and exports.

Speaking at the same event, Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), Kusobile Kamwambi, said the Meeting provides an opportunity for the three countries and development partners to review progress, address emerging challenges and strengthen coordination mechanisms for the full operationalisation of the corridor.

She said the corridor is strategically important for facilitating the movement of commodities from Zambia and the DRC westward to the Port of Lobito in Angola, as well as the movement of cargo eastward into Zambia and the DRC.

She said the Lobito Corridor coordinating mechanism, referred to as the “engine room,” was established to enhance coordination and scale up infrastructure, trade and investment activities across the region.

And World Bank Group Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde called for faster implementation of projects under the Lobito Corridor, saying political commitment and financing are no longer the main obstacles to the initiative.

Ms Bjerde said the focus should now be on operationalising the corridor with greater momentum and speed, while ensuring that infrastructure investments are matched by investments in energy, skills, agribusiness, water, land and secondary cities.

She pointed out that this is critical to transforming the Lobito Corridor from a transport route into a fully integrated economic corridor capable of creating jobs and generating broad-based economic benefits.

She charged that Zambia, Angola and DRC possess significant but largely untapped economic assets, including agricultural potential, industrial capacity, energy resources and strategic trade linkages.

“Zambia and the DRC together account for more than 17 percent of global copper supply and more than 70 percent of cobalt production, while Angola provides an important Atlantic gateway to international markets,” added Ms Bjerde.

She said the economic value of these resources depends largely on how efficiently they can reach markets and how effectively they contribute to local economic development.

Ms Bjerde noted that the corridor also has the potential to transform the lives of an estimated 23 million people living along its route.

“An additional eight to 10 million people are expected to enter working age across Angola, the DRC and Zambia by 2030, making job creation an important measure of the corridor’s success,” added Ms Bjerde.

She also announced the launch of Locomotive, a corridor monitoring tool that tracks projects under implementation and their status.

Ms Bjerde also disclosed that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has identified 118 anchor investment opportunities worth more than US$28 billion across sectors including mining, energy, agribusiness, logistics and auxiliary investments.

She said the World Bank and other development partners were ready to provide the necessary support, but urged the three countries to maintain strong coordination and accelerate implementation.

And Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (LCTTFA) Executive Director Amadeu Nunes has called for stronger coordination and faster implementation of agreed measures to ensure the corridor delivers tangible economic benefits to Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.

Mr Nunes said the Lobito Corridor Engine Room should evolve from being a platform for discussions into a mechanism that accelerates implementation, resolves bottlenecks and delivers measurable results.

He, however, said while significant progress has been made on initiatives such as the Joint Trade Facilitation Roadmap, Locomotive Tracker and Corridor Observatory, there is need to better connect the various work streams and accelerate execution.

Meanwhile, AfDB Director for Infrastructure and Urban Development Mike Salawou is happy with the enhancement of coordination among Zambia, Angola and the DRC, further pledging more support toward the implementation of the Lobito Corridor.

“We are with you on this Corridor and we will not leave you, until this Corridor is transformed,” said Mr Salawou.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Hot this week

ZUPED commends Government for free education policy October 5, 2026 0 The Zambia Union of Professional Educators (ZUPED) has commended... General News

Climate expert calls for groundwater management education October 5, 2026 0  Climate-Smart Agriculture and Climate Resilience Expert Oliver Bulaya says... Economy

Nkulukusa stresses proper utilisation of public funds October 5, 2026 0 Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusu has stressed the... Rural News

Chama farmer dies after Insecticide ingestion October 5, 2026 0 A 54-year-old peasant farmer of Chisani Village in Chama District... Feature Politics

Mpika electoral officer calls for by-election compliance October 5, 2026 0 Mpika District Electoral Officer Samuel Musenge has urged aspiring candidates,...

Topics

ZUPED commends Government for free education policy 0 The Zambia Union of Professional Educators (ZUPED) has commended... General News

Climate expert calls for groundwater management education 0  Climate-Smart Agriculture and Climate Resilience Expert Oliver Bulaya says... Economy

Nkulukusa stresses proper utilisation of public funds 0 Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusu has stressed the... Rural News

Chama farmer dies after Insecticide ingestion 0 A 54-year-old peasant farmer of Chisani Village in Chama District... Feature Politics

Mpika electoral officer calls for by-election compliance 0 Mpika District Electoral Officer Samuel Musenge has urged aspiring candidates,... General News

ECZ engages stakeholders ahead of by-election in Sioma 0 The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has held a... General News

Government highlights importance of traditional ceremonies 0 Government says traditional ceremonies such as Mutuna Mpanga are... Headlines

Tayali’s Witness Gives Two Conflicting Account of Chibolele Polling Station Disturbance 0 Petitioner's Own Witness Struggles Under Cross-Examination in Ndola Central...

Related Articles

Nkulukusa stresses proper utilisation of public funds

DRMD finalises El Nino Preparedness Action Plan Economy October 3, 2026

ZDA Targets Over US$5 Billion in Deals at December Investment Conference

Zambian Farmer’s K1 “Silly Bet” Wins K634,053

Zambia Opens Talks with IMF on Successor to Extended Credit Facility

Popular Categories