Zambia’s Finance Minister Leads Delegation to Lobito Corridor Meeting in Rome
Hon. Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Zambia’s Minister of Finance and National Planning, arrived in Rome to represent President Hakainde Hichilema at the High-Level Meeting on the “Mattei Plan and the EU Global Gateway: A Common Effort with the African Continent,” scheduled for 20 June 2025.
The meeting marks a key milestone following the High-Level Ministerial Technical Meeting held in Rome on 27 March 2025, where Zambia was represented by Hon. Frank Museba Tayali, Minister of Transport and Logistics.
The current gathering brings together government officials from Zambia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania — all partner countries in the Lobito Corridor Project — as well as representatives from the African Union Commission, the World Bank, and the Africa Finance Corporation.
Upon arrival, the Zambian delegation was warmly received by Her Excellency Mrs. Patricia Chisanga Kondolo, Zambia’s Ambassador to Italy, who commended the government’s active participation in the meeting.
During the high-level discussions, Minister Musokotwane is expected to meet with Italy’s Prime Minister, Her Excellency Ms. Giorgia Meloni, and the European Commission President, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, to deliberate on the progress and strategic collaboration around the Lobito Corridor Project.
This infrastructure initiative is a flagship program under the Italian Government’s Mattei Plan and the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy. It stands as one of the largest regional infrastructure projects within the G7’s support framework for Africa.
The Lobito Corridor aims to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration across Southern Africa, bolstering trade and development prospects for participating countries.
The Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Rome issued the statement emphasizing Zambia’s commitment to leveraging international partnerships to advance national and regional infrastructure development.
