Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) has obtained financing of approximately EUR 690 million to support further works on the 1,300 km railway corridor linking the Port of Lobito with Luau on Angola’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The funding has been arranged with the US International Development Finance Corporation and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
The railway connects the mineral terminal at the Port of Lobito with the Copperbelt mining region, providing a direct Atlantic route for export traffic as well as an import corridor into the region.
LAR operates the line under a 30-year concession and is responsible for the modernisation, maintenance and operation of the railway. The concession also includes the Porto do Lobito Mineral Terminal, which is directly linked to the line and handles mineral flows through the deepwater port of Lobito.
The corridor is used by mining companies, logistics providers and regional traders operating in Angola and neighbouring countries. In addition to export movements, the line supports import traffic, forming an important transport link between inland regions and the Atlantic coast.
Lobito Atlantic Railway is owned by Lobito Atlantic Holdings, a consortium comprising Trafigura, Mota-Engil and Vecturis.