Connecting Angola’s railway network with those of the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia is one of the key pillars of the country’s strategy to strengthen regional integration and establish itself as a leading logistics platform in Africa.
The view was presented by Eugénio Fernandes, Director of the National Directorate for the Economy of Concessions, during his address at Expansão‘s 2nd Transport and Logistics Forum, held under the theme “Logistics and Development Corridors.”
According to Fernandes, these railway links will connect major mining and agricultural production areas in Central and Southern Africa to Angola’s Atlantic ports, particularly Lobito, Cabinda and Caio, creating a competitive alternative for transporting goods to international markets.
He stressed that railway connections play a decisive role in regional economic and territorial integration by enabling more efficient movement of people and goods, strengthening regional value chains and reinforcing Central and Southern Africa’s position as an export platform for raw materials and manufactured goods.
Within this framework, Fernandes highlighted the strategic importance of Angola’s national railway network, which is structured around three major logistics corridors.
The Malanje Corridor, he explained, will strengthen connections with the Democratic Republic of the Congo through the Malanje-Luvo railway section, boosting trade with Central Africa and expanding access to inland markets across the continent.
The Lobito Corridor was identified as one of the region’s main strategic transport routes.
“Integrated with the railway networks of Zambia and the DRC, the corridor provides access to the Copperbelt and facilitates the transport of minerals and other goods from the interior of Southern Africa to the Atlantic Ocean, enhancing the region’s logistics competitiveness,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Namibe Corridor includes a planned railway connection with Namibia through the Lubango-Santa Clara section, further integrating Southern Africa’s transport systems and creating new opportunities for cross-border trade.
According to the Director of the National Directorate for the Economy of Concessions, the complementarity of these three corridors will strengthen Angola’s international connectivity and consolidate the country’s role as a strategic logistics platform linking Central and Southern Africa, taking advantage of its geographic position and growing demand for more efficient transport corridors across the continent.
Source: Expansão
