Name of the Project
Zambia–Lobito Railway project.

Location
Zambia and Angola. The new railway will connect Chingola, in Zambia’s Copperbelt, through Angola to the existing Benguela Railway at Luacano, providing access to the Port of Lobito.

Project Owner/s
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) is the lead sponsor and developer. The project is being developed through holding company Trans African Rail Company FZCO, and project companies Zambia Lobito Railway Limited and Zambia Lobito Railway S.A.

Project Description
The project entails about 830 km of new railway across Zambia and Angola. It is a separate development from the existing Lobito Atlantic Railway concession, to which it will connect.

The Zambian section, Lot 1B, comprises 517 km from the Angolan border to Chingola, including 22 bridges and viaducts, eight stations and three maintenance depots. The railway is intended to support mineral and agricultural freight exports through Angola’s Atlantic coast.

Potential Job Creation
No quantified project employment target is disclosed in the October 27, 2026, announcements.

Capital Expenditure
Not disclosed.

Planned Start/End Date
Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract negotiations are expected to start in November 2026. AFC aims to conclude agreements within 8 to 12 weeks, subject to satisfactory technical, commercial and legal negotiations.

Latest Developments
On October 27, 2026, AFC announced preferred EPC bidders for the Zambian and Angolan sections following an international tender. Selection remains subject to contract negotiations.

AFC reports that feasibility and technical studies and preliminary engineering designs have been completed. Concession agreements were signed in 2024 and intergovernmental agreements in 2025. Environmental- and social-impact assessments and resettlement action plans have advanced.

Key Contracts Suppliers and Consultants
Webuild-led consortium, with Mota-Engil and IC İçtaş Construction (selected as preferred bidder – Zambian section, Lot 1B); and Mota-Engil and Odebrecht Engineering and Construction consortium (selected as preferred bidder – Angolan section).

Contact Details for Project Information
Africa Finance Corporation, email [email protected].