The Draft Law to authorize the ratification by the Democratic Republic of Congo of the Agreement establishing the Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency, signed in Angola in January 2023, was recently adopted by the Congolese government. This decision, taken at the fourteenth meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, is of significant importance for the development of transport infrastructure in the region.
The main objective of this agreement is to facilitate the movement of people and goods between the port of Lobito and the various destinations located in the territory of the signatory States. This represents a crucial step towards regional integration and the promotion of international trade, thus strengthening ties between Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries in the region.
The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the African Development Bank, the Africa Finance Corporation, the United States, the European Union, Angola, the DRC and Zambia, for the development of the Lobito Corridor and the new Zambia-Lobito railway line, underlines the strategic importance of this project. By committing to collaborate across sectors, the signatories demonstrate a shared desire to unlock the region’s economic potential and strengthen trade.
This partnership, supported by US President Joe Biden, is part of an effort to provide a credible infrastructure alternative for low- and middle-income countries. By promoting the development of transport infrastructure and adhering to high international standards, this project will help boost economic growth and strengthen regional connectivity.
The involvement of the United States in this project marks an important step in strengthening economic and geostrategic ties between countries in the region. By supporting the development of the Lobito Corridor and the new Zambia-Lobito railway line, the stakeholders involved contribute to creating sustainable development opportunities and fostering regional economic integration.
In a context marked by major economic and political challenges, strengthening regional cooperation and transport infrastructure is of paramount importance for Africa’s prosperity and development. By committing to promote regional connectivity and invest in key infrastructure projects, the signatory countries are paving the way for a promising future for the Lobito Corridor region.