Zambia–Lobito Railway Moves Towards Financial Close as AFC Moves In

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema met an Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) delegation led by CEO Samaila Zubairu in Lusaka to review the Zambia–Lobito Railway project. The approximately 830-kilometre line will connect Chingola in Zambia’s Copperbelt to Luacano in Angola, linking with the Benguela Railway and providing access to the Atlantic through the Port of Lobito. Preferred bidders for the construction contracts were announced in October 2026, while preliminary agreements with prospective users cover about two million tonnes of freight annually. AFC is targeting financial close in 2027, with the railway expected to carry around five million tonnes of freight a year at steady state and take about seven days to reach the port.