President Hichilema highlights Lobito corridor’s role in accelerating AfCFTA

President Hakainde Hichilema has once again placed regional infrastructure development at the forefront of economic discourse, emphasising the pivotal role of the Lobito Corridor in accelerating the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking on the transformative potential of strategic transport networks, the Head of State noted that seamless connectivity is non-negotiable if the continent is to transition from raw material exporter to a self-sustaining industrial powerhouse. The Lobito Corridor, linking the Angolan port of Lobito to the mineral-rich regions of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, stands out as a flagship venture capable of reshaping regional commerce. For Zambia, a landlocked nation heavily reliant on efficient trade routes for its copper and agricultural exports, the corridor represents a crucial economic lifeline. Traditional transit routes have often been plagued by congestion, lengthy delays, and high logistical costs, constraining the country's export competitiveness on the global stage. By providing a shorter, more direct western outlet to the Atlantic Ocean, the Lobito Corridor promises to drastically slash transit times and freight expenses, thereby directly benefiting local mining enterprises, manufacturers, and small-scale traders alike. Beyond immediate logistical relief, President Hichilema's focus on the corridor aligns closely with the broader ambitions of the AfCFTA, which seeks to create a single continental market for goods and services. Intra-African trade has historically remained low due to infrastructural bottlenecks, non-tariff barriers, and fragmented regulatory frameworks. Projects like the Lobito Corridor serve as physical testaments to what can be achieved through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, bridging the gap between Southern, Central, and West African markets and fostering deeper regional value chains. Critics and economic analysts, however, point out that realizing the