ROME, Italy – Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to infrastructure-led development by deepening strategic ties with the European Union and Italy through the transformative Lobito Corridor Project, following a high-level summit in Rome.
The summit, focused on Italy’s Mattei Plan and the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, was co-hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Zambia was represented by Hon. Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance and National Planning, alongside senior officials from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and other African nations.
The event centered on advancing infrastructure investment as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth across the continent. Both the Mattei Plan and Global Gateway signal a shift in development strategy—from aid dependency to mutually beneficial, investment-driven partnerships.
Lobito Corridor: A Cornerstone of Transformation
At the heart of the discussions was the Lobito Corridor, a flagship regional infrastructure project connecting Zambia, Angola, and the DRC to the Atlantic Ocean. Designed to unlock trade, industrial development, and value addition, the corridor is poised to reshape Southern and Central Africa’s economic landscape.
“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 pursuing industrialization and value addition through the Lobito Corridor.”
Strategic Partnerships and Key Agreements
During the summit, Dr. Musokotwane held pivotal bilateral meetings with global financial leaders including:
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Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank
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Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF
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Samaila Zubairu, President of the Africa Finance Corporation
These discussions centered on securing financing and technical cooperation to drive Zambia’s infrastructure ambitions.
Zambia also signed Letters of Intent with the African Development Bank and the European Union, marking a critical step toward implementation. These agreements support the construction of:
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A 550-kilometre railway from Chingola to the Angola border
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A 260-kilometre road linking Chisese to Mwinilunga and Jimbe
Both segments are essential links in the broader Lobito Corridor framework, aimed at facilitating efficient cross-border movement of goods, services, and people.
A Vision for Shared Prosperity
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 is envisioned as a game-changing infrastructure network that will catalyze regional trade, drive industrialization, and create jobs across Southern and Central Africa. With enhanced partnerships under the Mattei Plan and EU Global Gateway, Zambia is positioning itself as a key logistics and manufacturing hub on the continent.