Zambia hosts private sector investment forum

Zambia has been at the forefront of discussions around mining lately, but it is also a key player in the realization of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. This deal hinges on the existence of efficient transport systems and logistics. In a recent interview with Koen Rombouts, Managing Director of Southern African Corridors at Africa Global Logistics, the spotlight was on the Lobito corridor and its potential impact on trade and infrastructure development in Southern Africa. The Lobito corridor presents an intriguing prospect in the Southern African region. AGL has secured the concession for the Lobito Port Container Terminal, linking it to the hinterland extending up to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Kulwezi. This corridor, previously utilized for copper transportation, is being revitalized to accommodate the growing demands of logistics to facilitate the movement of cargo from DRC and Zambia to global markets. The collaboration on the corridor involves a consortium comprising an Angolan construction company, Mota Angel, and Trafigura, a mineral trader. AGL will play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless operations from the mines to the port, expanding connectivity to the western markets. The magnitude of the project requires substantial funding, with nearly half a billion dollars earmarked for the corridor's development. SAGL's expertise in port operations, with a vast footprint across 21 ports in Africa and a dedicated workforce of 23,000 employees, positions it to drive significant value along the corridor. The corridor's progress is already underway, with the first train arriving at Lobito on December 25th. Expected export volumes range between 200,000 to 300,000 tons this year, projected to escalate to 1 million tons annually within the next few years. This exponential growth in capacity underscores the corridor's potential to shape regional trade dynamics. Beyond the Lobito corridor, AGL is actively involved in enhancing intra-African trade, particularly in the wake of the formal launch of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. Facilitating smoother border operations is crucial to fostering increased trade activity within the continent. Koen Rombouts emphasized the importance of streamlining cross-border processes to reduce delays and inefficiencies that hinder trade growth. While significant strides have been made, challenges persist, necessitating continued efforts to improve infrastructure and operational systems to support Africa's trade transformation. The vision is to create a conducive environment where trade flourishes, eliminating bottlenecks and enhancing the efficiency of trade routes. The Lobito corridor stands as a testament to the continent's commitment to advancing trade linkages and bolstering logistics infrastructure for sustained economic growth. As Africa propels towards a new era of trade integration, initiatives like the Lobito corridor pave the way for enhanced collaboration and connectivity across regions, laying a robust foundation for a thriving economy built on seamless trade networks.