The All-American Rail Group (AARG) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Angola's Ministry of Transport to provide advisory services to Angola's rail and infrastructure development in Angola.
The US$4.5 billion project encompasses the operation, management, and maintenance of the rail infrastructure for transporting cargo, minerals, liquids, and gas along the Corridor. It involves constructing approximately 550 km of rail line in Zambia, stretching from Jimbe on the border with Angola to Chingola in Zambia's copper belt. Additionally, 260 km of primary feeder roads within the Lobito Corridor will be constructed.
This MOU specifically pertains to the Angolan section of the corridor, connecting Luanda, the capital of Angola, to Lubumbashi, a southern city in the DRC. A key objective of the MOU is the expansion of Angola's rail infrastructure from Malanje to Lubumbashi, thereby enhancing the reach and efficiency of the Lobito Corridor. The additional rail infrastructure is poised to have a positive impact on food security in Angola and will serve as a valuable means for transporting various commodities, including oil, timber, and minerals. The AARG, comprising specialized logistics firms, has come together to provide services and oversee aspects of the Lobito Corridor improvement works and infrastructure.