Lusaka, Zambia – At the recently concluded Land-Linked Zambia Conference held at Ciela Resort in Lusaka, Zambia and Angola signed two pivotal transport agreements poised to transform the region’s cargo and dry bulk logistics landscape.
Central to these agreements is the development of the 830-kilometre Lobito Corridor, a strategic trade and transport route that will link Zambia’s Copperbelt to Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito. The corridor is designed to become a vital logistics artery for dry bulk shipments and containerized cargo, reducing dependency on more congested or longer routes to East African ports.
Once operational, the Lobito Corridor is expected to streamline the movement of minerals, agricultural goods, and industrial freight, enhancing Zambia’s access to international markets while boosting intra-African trade. The corridor’s improved rail and road infrastructure is especially significant for dry bulk operators, who will benefit from more efficient, lower-cost exports and imports.
A second agreement, focused on aviation, lays the groundwork for increased air cargo connectivity. This regulatory framework aims to facilitate international air transport between the two countries, supporting time-sensitive logistics and offering new options for high-value freight.
Both agreements were signed by Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Frank Tayali, and Angola’s Minister of Transport, Hon. Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu during a high-level bilateral session at the conference, which drew transport sector stakeholders from across the region.
For the cargo and dry bulk sectors, these developments mark a significant step toward greater infrastructure alignment and logistics efficiency across Southern and Central Africa—with the potential to reshape supply chains and open new trade corridors for land-linked economies.
