Zambia’s $300M ZESCO-Anzana Deal to Electrify Lobito Corridor, Boost Trade and Logistics by 2030
The Lobito Corridor, one of Africa’s most strategic trade routes, is set for a major upgrade after Zambia’s power utility ZESCO signed a $300 million agreement with energy firm Anzana to electrify communities and industries along the route.
The project, scheduled for completion by 2030, will connect more than two million Zambians to reliable electricity while improving the efficiency and competitiveness of transport and logistics operations.
Stretching from the Atlantic port city of Lobito in Angola, through Zambia, and into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the corridor is rapidly emerging as a vital artery for the movement of minerals, agricultural produce, and manufactured goods.
Yet, its full potential has long been limited by gaps in infrastructure—most critically, access to reliable and affordable electricity.
Frequent power outages have hindered industrial clusters, border crossings, railway stations, and cold storage facilities along the route.
logistics operators have relied on diesel generators, driving up costs, slowing operations, and increasing emissions.
The new electrification initiative seeks to close this gap by ensuring sustainable, grid-connected power supply.
The project’s impact will extend well beyond energy supply. By powering warehouses, cargo processing facilities, and customs checkpoints, electrification is expected to reduce delays, improve turnaround times, and boost the corridor’s competitiveness.
For agribusinesses and exporters, reliable electricity will strengthen cold chain logistics—critical for transporting perishable goods—supporting both local food security and access to export markets.
Moreover, reducing dependence on diesel will lower operating costs for logistics operators and cut carbon emissions.
This makes the corridor a more sustainable, energy-efficient trade route, better aligned with global investment priorities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ZESCO officials emphasized that the agreement would reinforce the Lobito Corridor’s position as a regional trade gateway.
For Zambia, it supports the government’s ambition to shift from a landlocked country to a land-linked logistics hub, strengthening regional supply chains that connect DRC’s mineral wealth to global markets while expanding Zambia’s agricultural and industrial exports.
According to Anzana representatives, the deal illustrates how sustainable energy infrastructure can catalyze economic growth across multiple sectors, from logistics and transport to trade and industry.
The $300 million ZESCO–Anzana partnership is about more than just providing electricity to households—it represents a strategic investment in Africa’s trade future.
By electrifying the Lobito Corridor, Zambia and its partners are laying the foundation for regional integration, economic resilience, and enhanced global competitiveness.
