Zambia Secures $265M in Financing for its Portion of the Lobito Corridor

On 6 August 2026, the African Development Bank approved a USD 255 million loan for Zambia’s portion of the Lobito Corridor. Italy is topping up with a USD 10 million grant via the #MatteiPlan, thus increasing the financing package to USD 265 million.

The funding is part of a broader partnership to connect the #Copperbelt regions in Zambia and DR Congo to the Lobito Port in Angola. Other than reducing transport costs of #CriticalMinerals such as copper and cobalt, the railway line is expected to give a boost to regional integration and economic growth. The AfDB highlights that the LobitoCorridor is in line with its Regional Integration Strategic Framework and the Southern Africa Integration Strategy.

“The Lobito Corridor is more than a transport investment; it is a platform for regional integration, industrialization, and economic transformation. This approval marks an important step in unlocking new opportunities for trade, investment and jobs across the region.”

AfDB Director for Infrastructure Mike Salawou

Zambia plans to apply the funding to build roughly 550 kilometers of greenfield railway track and upgrade 105 kilometers between Mwinilunga and Jimbe. Part of the financing is earmarked for capacity building, trade facilitation and other institutional support. The #LobitoCorridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency will coordinate the Project, while the Lobito Trade Facilitation Project will focus on fostering cross-border trade.

During construction, the Project will require 5,000 workers, and once operational, it will sustain 500 jobs in rail operation, border control, logistics and other related services. With the backing of AfDB, Zambia hopes to be able to crowd in more private investment to develop the Project into an Integrated Economic Corridor.