“This is a significant step toward delivery.”
— Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO, Africa Finance Corporation, as reported by Bloomberg via MINING.COM
What happened
The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), lead developer of the Zambian section of the Lobito Corridor railway, has selected preferred bidders to build an 830-kilometre stretch of new line, Bloomberg reported on 27 October 2026. Italy’s Webuild, Portugal’s Mota-Engil and Türkiye’s IC Ictas are negotiating for the section from Chingola in Zambia’s Copperbelt to the Angolan border. Mota-Engil and Brazil’s Odebrecht are in talks for the Angolan section from the border to Luacano.
According to the report, negotiations start next month, contracts are expected to be finalised within eight to 12 weeks, and AFC chief executive Samaila Zubairu expects construction to begin within six to eight months. The contract value was not disclosed. The project, which has US backing, forms part of a wider line of roughly 1,739 kilometres linking Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo with Lobito. A day earlier, Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo de Abreu, told an investment forum that the corridor is already showing visible results in rail and freight, and that its master plan identifies more than 144 business opportunities worth about US$13 billion, Forbes Africa reported. Separately, the Lobito Atlantic Railway, which operates the existing line, has projected about 400,000 tonnes of freight in 2026, up 51% on 2025, with a Kolwezi–Lobito rail transit of around seven to eight days, at least 20 days faster than by road, Trends n Africa reported.
What this means for shippers
Nothing changes on the ground today: the new Zambian link is still at the negotiation stage and, on AFC’s own timetable, building work is months away. The existing rail route between the DRC’s Copperbelt and Lobito, however, is already carrying more cargo each year, so importers in the DRC’s mining regions increasingly have a real Atlantic alternative to long road hauls from Dar es Salaam, Durban or Walvis Bay. Exporters and forwarders shipping from Pakistan, the Gulf and Asia should expect consignees to ask for quotes via Lobito more often.
The routing choice has direct consequences for documents. Cargo for the Democratic Republic of Congo needs a valid FERI certificate whatever the port of discharge, and the details on it — port of discharge, final destination, consignee and cargo description — must match the bill of lading. Changing from an East African port to Lobito after the FERI has been applied for is a common cause of corrections and delays. Cargo that is cleared into Angola itself needs the Angolan CNCA (ARCCLA) certificate. In both cases the application should be settled before the container is loaded, because missing or mismatched certificates can leave cargo held at the port, with demurrage and storage charges building up and possible penalties at destination.
Our advice: confirm the full routing and final destination with your consignee at booking, not after sailing; check that your B/L, commercial invoice and certificate application carry the same port and destination; and watch for new rail and transit services as the corridor grows. See our DR Congo and Angola guides for the current requirements, or contact HMG to start your FERI or CNCA application before loading.
Key points
- AFC has chosen preferred bidders for an 830-km rail link from Chingola (Zambia) to Luacano (Angola), part of the Lobito Corridor.
- Talks begin in November; contracts are expected within eight to 12 weeks, and construction could start within six to eight months, according to AFC.
- The existing Kolwezi–Lobito rail route is growing, with its operator projecting about 400,000 tonnes of freight in 2026.
- DRC-bound cargo needs a FERI and Angola-bound cargo a CNCA (ARCCLA) certificate, with routing details matching the B/L, before loading.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Lobito Corridor?
It is a rail and port corridor linking the copper and cobalt mining regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and, in future, Zambia with the Atlantic port of Lobito in Angola. It is backed by the United States and developed with partners including the Africa Finance Corporation.
When will the Zambia–Angola railway be built?
According to AFC, contract talks begin in November 2026, contracts should be finalised within eight to 12 weeks, and construction is expected to start within six to eight months. No completion date or contract value has been published.
Do I need a FERI if my DRC cargo goes through Lobito?
Yes. A FERI is required for cargo destined for the DRC regardless of the port of discharge, and its routing details should match the bill of lading. Arrange it before the cargo is loaded.
Sources
- MINING.COM (Bloomberg) — Webuild, Odebrecht in line to build key African copper rail line
- IndexBox — Webuild, Odebrecht Preferred Bidders for Lobito Corridor Rail Section
- Forbes Africa — Lobito Corridor Identifies $13 Billion in Business Opportunities
- Trends n Africa — Lobito Corridor Freight Volumes Set To Rise 51% In 2026 As Rail Operations Expand
