Zambia Secures Stronger Ties with Italy and EU to Advance Lobito Corridor Project
Zambia has strengthened its global development partnerships following a high-level meeting on the Mattei Plan and the EU Global Gateway held in Rome, where Italy and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to Zambia through the transformative Lobito Corridor Project.
Hon. Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Zambia’s Minister of Finance and National Planning, represented the country at the summit co-chaired by Italy’s Prime Minister, H.E. Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President, H.E. Ursula von der Leyen.
The event attracted high-level delegates from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia, with discussions focused on infrastructure-led development and economic transformation across Africa.
The Mattei Plan—Italy’s flagship initiative for a new partnership model with Africa—aims to move away from traditional aid models toward strategic, mutually beneficial cooperation. Aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the plan will mobilize up to €150 billion in investments for Africa by 2027, with the Lobito Corridor at the core of this vision.
“The engagement is a clear signal of our shared commitment to sustainable development,” said Dr. Musokotwane. “Zambia is no longer exporting just raw materials—we are moving toward value addition and industrialization along the Lobito Corridor.”
Dr. Musokotwane also held bilateral meetings with top global finance leaders, including World Bank President Ajay Banga, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and Africa Finance Corporation President Samaila Zubairu. These engagements aimed at securing financing and technical cooperation for Zambia’s infrastructure ambitions.
In a major step forward, Zambia signed Letters of Intent with both the African Development Bank and the European Union. The agreements cover the construction of a 550km railway from Chingola to the Angola border and a 260km road segment from Chisese to Mwinilunga and Jimbe—key arteries of the Lobito Corridor.
Zambia’s delegation also included Ambassador Patricia Chisanga Kondolo and Mr. Jito Kayumba, Special Assistant to the President for Finance and Investments.
The Lobito Corridor, connecting Zambia, Angola, and the DRC to Atlantic trade routes, is envisioned as a game-changing infrastructure network that will spur regional trade, industrialization, and job creation.
