DR Congo Solicits $500M in Financing from World Bank for Lobito Corridor
In the margins of the International Monetary Fund / World Bank Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, the Democratic Republic of Congo held a meeting with the World Bank which focused on seeking a financing package worth USD 500 million to develop the #LobitoCorridor.
According to a tweet by the Congolese Minister of Finance Doudou Fwanba on 19 October 2025, the WB displayed interested in providing the financing, subject to further talks to refine the modalities. Minister Fwanba had a meeting with World Bank Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde.
Initially, the Lobito Corridor is rail link which connects the seaport of Lobito in Angola to the Kolwezi in the Copperbelt region of DR Congo. It is envisaged to be extended into Zambia as well. Some observers note that a link up with #TAZARA would be a natural evolution, although the geopolitical conditions may not lend to such connection at the moment.
During the meeting, Minister Fwanda outlined the Congolese Government’s vision to spur economic growth along one of the most strategic #EconomicCorridors across Africa. The financing will go towards upgrading two segments of the railway line: (i) Tenke – Lubumbashi – Sakania, and (ii) Tenke – Kolwezi – Dilolo.
Feasibility studies by a joint EU-US technical team indicate that the rehabilitation costs for the Tenke – Kolwezi – Dilolo segment is estimated at about USD 400 million, with USD 180 million in maintenance costs over ten years.
The second phase covers the Tenke – Lubumbashi – Sakania segment and its extension to the Zambian border and would bring the total costs to around USD 1.1 billion.
Minister Fwanba underlined that the success of the Lobito Corridor rests on enhanching mining access, expanding energy production and fostering local value addition (#LVA). Director Bjerde congratulated DR Congo’s on its reforms to render its business climate more attractive and sees eye to eye with the Minister as to the potential of the Lobito Corridor as a key logistical infrastructure to enable growth in the mining, energy, and agro-industry.
In April 2025, Congolese PM Judith Suminwa commissioned the master plan for development along the Lobito Corridor, under the supervision of responsible ministries. It is worth noting Italy is partnering with DR Congo under the Mattei Plan on this project.
Then, in September 2025, the World Bank also launched another Feasibility Study focusing on the economic impact of the Lobito Corridor. The Universities of Lubumbashi and Kolwezi are working jointly with the WB’s team to undertake the study in order to maximize the economic and social benefits.