Title: Lobito port in Angola becomes a key player in the region’s copper export
Introduction :
The company Africa Global Logistics (AGL) recently won the concession for the port of Lobito in Angola, located in the west of the country. This event marks an important step in the development of the Copperbelt region, renowned for its significant production of copper and cobalt. Thanks to an investment of 100 million dollars, the port of Lobito will become a strategic point for the export of these raw materials to European and American markets. This article explores the implications of this concession and its impact on the region’s mining industry.
The potential of the Copperbelt:
The Copperbelt is a region stretching from Zambia to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which produces around 4 million tonnes of copper and cobalt each year. Until now, exports of these metals were mainly on the West African coast. However, with the concession of the Lobito port to AGL, the dynamic is about to change.
Lobito, a strategic location:
The president of AGL, Philippe Labonne, explains that the port of Lobito will offer better conditions for the export of copper from the Copperbelt. In addition, its location on the Atlantic coast will facilitate shorter transits to the European and American economies. This represents a considerable advantage for copper producers in the region, who will now be able to benefit from faster and more direct access to major international markets.
The development of the railway network:
To support this new dynamic, a rail network must also be developed. Part of the railway linking Lobito to Benguela has already been rehabilitated, but there is still much work to be done. A section between Dilolo and Kolwezi, in the DRC, as well as a new railway line linking Zambia to Lobito, will also be built thanks to American and European funding. This essential infrastructure will facilitate the transport of copper from the Copperbelt to the port of Lobito, thus opening new prospects for the economic development of the region.
An expected increase in production:
With these new investments and infrastructure development, copper production in the region is expected to reach up to 6 million tonnes per year by 2026. This significant increase will not only benefit the Copperbelt economy, but it will also strengthen Angola’s position as a key player in the global copper and cobalt market.
Conclusion :
The concession of the Lobito port to Africa Global Logistics marks an important turning point in the mining industry of the Copperbelt region. Thanks to new investments and the establishment of an efficient railway network, the port of Lobito will become a strategic point in the export of copper, offering significant advantages to producers in the region. This new dynamic will help strengthen the local economy and consolidate Angola’s position in the global copper and cobalt market.