President Hichilema, AFC confer on Lobito corridor project

President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated his administration's strong resolve to fast-track the development of the Lobito Corridor, highlighting its immense potential to reshape Southern and Central African trade dynamics. During high-level strategic discussions held with representatives from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and key regional stakeholders in Lusaka, President Hichilema underscored that the transformative multi-national infrastructure project is far more than a simple transit route, serving instead as a fundamental economic catalyst designed to stimulate large-scale industrialization and job creation. The strategic dialogue focused heavily on bridging the infrastructure gap along the crucial trade artery, which links the mineral-rich Zambian Copperbelt and the Democratic Republic of Congo directly to Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito. By offering a shorter, more cost-effective export route to international markets, the corridor is expected to relieve heavy congestion at traditional border posts and sea ports while significantly reducing transit times for copper, cobalt, and agricultural commodities originating from the region. During the deliberations, President Hichilema stressed the imperative of integrating the corridor's development directly with the broader ambitions of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He noted that physical connectivity is the ultimate backbone required to make single-market trading frameworks practical and effective on the ground. Furthermore, the Head of State called for coordinated multi-lateral efforts to ensure that the Zambian component of the infrastructure receives prioritized funding, technical execution, and robust maintenance protocols to maximize national economic returns. Representatives from the AFC and other development partners reviewed ongoing financing frameworks, private sector investment pipelines, and timeline milestones for upcoming construction phases. Discussions also centered on