Lobito Atlantic Railway close to securing $533M US loan to modernize Angola’s key copper and cobalt export route Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) expects to finalize a $533 million loan agreement with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) by the end of this year, according to CEO Nicholas Fournier. The financing is crucial to upgrading its Angolan railway concession and strengthening a vital export corridor for critical minerals. The DFC committed the loan in 2024
Lobito Atlantic Railways Names Nicholas Fournier CEO and Alexandre Canas Chair to Drive Angola’s Transport Corridor Expansion Angola’s rail operator Lobito Atlantic Railways (LAR) has announced a significant leadership change, appointing Nicholas Fournier as CEO and Alexandre Canas as chairperson on August 19. The move marks the formal separation of the two roles, a step aimed at strengthening governance as the company enters a crucial phase of operational growth. With its new executive committee and
Port of Lobito Achieves Positive ISO Certification Audit and Wins Top Award at Angola Municipalities Fair The Port of Lobito has recently received a positive evaluation of its Integrated Management System from auditing firm MS Certification, in line with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 standards. According to a report, the port authority earned top marks for quality management, environmental protection, and occupational health and safety. A team of MS Certification auditors spent a
U.S. Supports Lobito Corridor Rail Project Linking DRC, Angola, and Zambia to Accelerate Mineral Exports The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Lobito Corridor—a transformative rail project that will connect the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, and Zambia—in a move aimed at boosting regional trade and unlocking economic opportunities. Speaking in a recent interview, U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, described the Lobito Corridor as a powerful lever for economic
Angola’s TAAG Secures $297M EXIM-Backed Deal for Boeing 787 Jets to Boost Luanda’s New Aviation Hub Angola’s state-owned airline, TAAG Angola Airlines, is set to acquire Boeing 787-10 wide-body aircraft and General Electric Aerospace engines through a $297 million financing package backed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM). The agreement, announced Wednesday, will support the delivery of new aircraft and spare engines while strengthening U.S. manufacturing jobs and Angola’s aviation infrastructure. According to Bloomberg, the
Africa’s railway sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by ambitious infrastructure projects that aim to unlock the continent’s vast mineral wealth and strengthen global trade connections. At the heart of this renaissance is the development of strategic transport corridors that are rapidly reshaping regional logistics. In June 2025, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) secured a €250 million, 10-year loan from Italian development finance institution Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. The funding will accelerate the development
Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu, and France’s Minister Delegate for Transport, Philippe Tabarot, convened in Paris to enhance bilateral collaboration in the fields of transportation and infrastructure. The high-level meeting focused on several key areas of strategic importance: Civil Aviation: Discussions highlighted Air France’s operations in Angola and the expansion of TAAG Angola Airlines’ fleet with Airbus aircraft, aiming to boost connectivity and modernize the national carrier. Urban Mobility: Both nations emphasized the
Zambia has strengthened its global development partnerships following a high-level summit on the Mattei Plan and the European Union’s Global Gateway, held in Rome. The meeting, co-hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reaffirmed Italy and the EU’s support for Zambia through the transformative Lobito Corridor Project. Representing Zambia at the summit was Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane. The event brought together
The Lobito Corridor is being regarded by members of the Benguela Business Alliance as a strategic route for the large-scale distribution of national production. This view was shared with Jornal de Angola by Adérito Areias, president of the Alliance. According to Areias, the infrastructure is expected to drive the country’s economic development by facilitating the movement of goods and promoting regional growth. “We must see the Lobito Corridor as a tool for development and take
A total of 15 million US dollars is expected to be made available by the end of this year to support environmental initiatives and projects along the Lobito Corridor, announced the Vice-Governor for the Technical and Infrastructure Sector on Monday in Cuito. According to José Fernando Tchatuvela, who shared the news during a meeting with a multi-sectoral delegation from the Angolan Government visiting Bié Province, the funding is part of a broader support initiative backed
