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 top officials from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia, with discussions centered on infrastructure-driven development and economic transformation across Africa.
Italy’s Mattei Plan—its flagship initiative for a renewed partnership with Africa—seeks to shift away from traditional aid toward strategic, mutually beneficial cooperation.
In alignment with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the plan aims to mobilize up to €150 billion in investments for Africa by 2027. Central to this vision is the Lobito Corridor, a regional infrastructure project that promises to reshape trade and industrial development.
“The engagement is a clear signal of our shared commitment to sustainable development,” said Dr. Musokotwane.
“Zambia is no longer focused solely on exporting raw materials—we are advancing toward value addition and industrialization through the Lobito Corridor.”
During the summit, Dr. Musokotwane held key bilateral meetings with global financial leaders, including World Bank President Ajay Banga, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and Africa Finance Corporation President Samaila Zubairu.
These discussions focused on securing financing and technical cooperation for Zambia’s infrastructure goals.
In a significant step forward, Zambia signed Letters of Intent with both the African Development Bank and the European Union.
These agreements outline support for the construction of a 550-kilometer railway from Chingola to the Angola border, as well as a 260-kilometer road from Chisese to Mwinilunga and Jimbe—critical segments of the Lobito Corridor.
The Zambian delegation also included Ambassador Patricia Chisanga Kondolo and Mr. Jito Kayumba, Special Assistant to the President for Finance and Investments.
The Lobito Corridor, linking Zambia, Angola, and the DRC to the Atlantic coast, is envisioned as a game-changing infrastructure network that will enhance regional trade, accelerate industrialization, and generate employment across the region.
