The Lobito Corridor Railway Rehabilitation Project covers the rehabilitation and operation of the Benguela railway from Lobito across Angola toward the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. It is intended to improve mineral and general freight flows, lower logistics costs and connect inland producers to the Port of Lobito. Rail services are operating while rehabilitation and capacity works continue, supported by a US$753 million financing package announced in December 2025.
The Lobito Corridor Railway Rehabilitation Project involves the comprehensive rehabilitation and modernization of the 1,344 km Benguela Railway (CFB) from the deep-water port of Lobito in Angola to the border town of Luau, which connects to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) rail network. The project scope includes the complete reconstruction of the railway line, replacement of sleepers and rails, rehabilitation of 67 stations, modernization of signaling and telecommunications systems, procurement of new locomotives and rolling stock, and the reconstruction of 35 major bridges. The corridor is a critical link for exporting copper, cobalt, and other minerals from the DRC's Katanga Province and Zambia's Copperbelt region to global markets via the Atlantic Ocean. The project is implemented by the Lobito Atlantic Railway Consortium, a partnership formed by Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis, under a 30-year concession agreement with the governments of Angola, DRC, and Zambia. The concession was formally signed in July 2022. The project is part of the broader Lobito Corridor initiative, which includes complementary port and road infrastructure.
1. Restore full operational capacity of the 1,344 km Lobito-Luau railway line to support freight volumes of up to 2 million tonnes annually. 2. Reduce transit times for mineral exports from the DRC and Zambia to Lobito Port from an average of 30+ days to under 8 days. 3. Improve regional connectivity and integration by linking the Angolan, DRC, and Zambian rail networks. 4. Support economic development in Angola's interior provinces by enabling passenger transport and general freight services. 5. Create direct and indirect employment opportunities during the construction and operational phases. 6. Facilitate trade and economic growth in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.