Angola’s Lobito Corridor Railway Project Reaches $753 Million Financial Close to Expand African Trade Connectivity
The Lobito Corridor railway project in Angola has reached financial close after securing $753 million in funding, marking a major milestone for one of Africa’s most important regional transport infrastructure initiatives.
The financing will support the rehabilitation, upgrade and long-term operation of the 1,300-kilometre railway corridor linking the Port of Lobito in Angola to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The project is operated by Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR), a joint venture between infrastructure company Mota-Engil and commodities logistics group Trafigura.
The financing package includes $553 million from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and $200 million from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).
Infrastructure financing institution Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and financial services firm Eaglestone supported the structuring and mobilisation of funding for LAR, which serves as the project’s borrower and concessionaire.
The Lobito Corridor is expected to improve regional connectivity, strengthen trade links and support the movement of minerals, goods and other commodities between Central and Southern Africa and international markets.
AFC President and CEO Samaila Zubairu said the project represents an important step in improving transport infrastructure and unlocking economic opportunities across Angola and the wider region.
Eaglestone founding partner Nuno Gil said the successful financial close demonstrates that complex, multi-lender infrastructure projects can be developed and financed through regional and international partnerships.
The Lobito Corridor forms part of broader efforts to expand cross-border infrastructure and create more efficient trade routes across Africa.
