Africa Finance Corporation is lining up a consortium of regional and international lenders, including Citigroup, to finance the strategic Lobito Corridor project, underscoring rising global interest in Africa’s critical transport infrastructure. The move, disclosed in April 2026, signals progress toward securing funding for one of the continent’s most important trade routes, as reported by CNBC Africa.
The Lobito Corridor is designed to link mineral-rich regions of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Atlantic port of Lobito in Angola, creating a vital export route for copper, cobalt, and other critical minerals. The project is seen as a key alternative to existing supply chains, particularly as demand for battery metals continues to surge.
AFC is working to structure a blended financing package that combines commercial bank funding with development finance and export credit support. Analysts say participation from global lenders such as Citi reflects growing confidence in the corridor’s long-term economic viability and its role in reshaping mineral logistics across the region.
The initiative is also backed by Western governments seeking to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce reliance on traditional routes dominated by other global powers. If successfully financed and executed, the Lobito Corridor could significantly cut transport costs, improve export efficiency, and position Angola as a major logistics hub in the global energy transition supply chain.
