Setting up a mining trade corridor in the heart of Africa

Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are looking to create a trade corridor to and from the Atlantic Ocean port of Lobito in Angola.

The three countries have agreed to joint management of the port, which was recently concessioned to Portuguese infrastructure group Mota-Engil for a US$450mln mining upgrade.

Transport ministers have signed an agreement to facilitate the Lobito Corridor, which will connect the port with mining hinterlands.

The Corridor will cross Angola and link up the mining areas of Katanga province in the DRC and the Copperbelt in Zambia.

Developing infrastructure and standardising regulations will allow the countries to transport metals in days instead of weeks.