16/07/2025
COME & PARTNER WITH US IN BUSINESS & INVESTMENT - ZAMBIA APPEALS TO BRAZILIANS
Finance and National Planning Minister Dr SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE has called on Brazilian investors and financial institutions to seize the transformative opportunities presented by the Lobito Corridor Railway Development and the accompanying agricultural expansion programme.
Speaking during a high-level investment engagement in Brazil, Tuesday, Dr Musokotwane outlined the significant progress already achieved in the Lobito Railway Development Corridor and emphasised Zambia’s readiness to collaborate with Brazilian partners.
The Lobito Corridor, a strategic rail and road network connecting the mineral-rich regions of Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia with the Atlantic Port of Lobito in Angola, is poised to become a major catalyst for trade, logistics efficiency, and regional integration across Southern and Central Africa.
During an information exchange session with Banco Nacional Do Desenvolvimento (BNDES) hosted by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Tuesday, Dr MUSOKOTWANE, stated that the Lobito Corridor is not just a transport corridor project; it is a gateway to unlocking vast agricultural, mining, and industrial potential across Zambia and its neighbouring countries. We invite Brazilian investors to partner with us in developing this corridor into a world-class logistics and agricultural value chain hub.
With a population of over 20 million, a GDP growth forecast of 6% in 2025, and strategic access to over 1.4 billion consumers within Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) markets, Zambia has offered Brazilian investors and development finance institutions, a compelling proposition for production, processing, and distribution investments anchored on improved transport infrastructure.
During the delegation’s engagement with BNDES, Dr MUSOKOTWANE outlined the following key opportunities for the Brazilian investment community:
1) Railway Development and Operations: Participate in construction, maintenance, and management of the Lobito railway to ensure efficient transportation of goods between Zambia, Angola, and the wider region;
2) Agricultural Value Chains: Establish farming and agro-processing investments leveraging over 43 million hectares of arable land, abundant water resources, and proximity to regional and global markets; and,
3) Finance and Technology Partnerships: Brazilian Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) can join the shareholding structure to provide concessional and commercial financing, as well as technical expertise for corridor development and agricultural sector growth.
Further, the Minister of Finance and National Planning suggested the option of equity participation by Development Finance Institutions such as BNDES in the Lobito Corridor Railway Development structure. He appealed to Brazilian agriculture value-chain investors to establish operations in Zambia’s agricultural zones connected by the Lobito Corridor.
“Through the Lobito Corridor, we can create a seamless and competitive logistics chain that will open up Africa’s heartland to Brazilian expertise, technology, and investments,” said Dr MUSOKOTWANE, adding that Zambia is ready to continue engaging with investors from Latin America’s biggest economy to unlock the prospects for shared prosperity, presented by the Lobito Corridor.
Dr MUSOKOTWANE and his counter from Agriculture Mr MTOLO PHIRI, MP, are in Brazil for engagements with the authorities on cooperation and support in developing an agriculture development master plan for the Lobito Railway Development Corridor. They are accompanied by a multi-skilled team comprising Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit KUSOBILE KAMWAMBI, Permanent Secretary Economic Management and Finance MULELE MAKETO MULELE, Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil, GLYNE MICHELO, Director General for the Public Private Dialogue Forum ANDREW CHIPWENDE, Ministry of Agriculture Director of Agriculture Development and Research Dr CHIZUMBA SHEPANDE, and Dr NDASHE PHILIMON KAPALU, Agriculture Research Scientist, and SILVIA GIORGIA MAURI, Senior Agriculture Specialist at the World Bank Country Office in Zambia.
“The interim feasibility study was completed in May 2024, followed by the concession agreement feasibility study in September 2024. By November last year, we had executed MOUs for 470,000 tons of freight with mining companies. We expect contractor selection by January 2026 and financial closure by the last quarter of 2026,” Dr. Musokotwane stated.
He highlighted further that the African Development Bank and Africa Finance Corporation have each pledged $500 million, while the European Union, with Italy leading, has pledged €320 million, but financial closure has not yet been reached, creating room for Brazilian participation.
Dr. Musokotwane further emphasised the strategic agricultural opportunities linked to the railway corridor, “We will be working with EMBRAPA and the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture to plan the Lobito Corridor as an agricultural corridor. Given Zambia’s vast water resources and arable land, this will ensure sufficient cargo for the railway while creating export-oriented agricultural investments targeting regional markets, China, India, and the Middle East.”
He appealed directly to Brazilian investors to consider prospects being offered by Zambia to participate not only in the railway line construction but also in associated infrastructure such as electricity and water supply. We are also inviting Brazilian agricultural investors to establish large-scale farming operations, which will create demand for Brazilian machinery and inputs, benefitting your manufacturing sector.”
Dr. Musokotwane underscored that the Lobito Corridor is being driven as a private sector initiative, with government acting as facilitator to ensure financial viability. He encouraged Brazilian stakeholders to follow developments closely and engage at their preferred stage of implementation.
“Please follow this very carefully. Develop relationships with us now so you can be part of this movement that will unlock Africa’s critical minerals while expanding agricultural and economic opportunities,” he said.
And speaking on behalf of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA), CAESAR DOS SANTOS expressed appreciation for the fruitful discussions held with the Zambian delegation and Brazilian institutions.
“On behalf of MAPA, I would like to thank our colleagues from BNDES and the Zambian delegation for their participation today. We are available to develop Memoranda of Understanding between the Brazilian Government and Zambia in the field of agriculture.”
He emphasised the importance of both public and private sector collaboration in advancing the Lobito Corridor initiative.
“I believe the way forward involves both government and private sector participation in the proposed construction of the Lobito Corridor. In the name of MAPA, we stand ready to intermediate and facilitate meetings and engagements to make this project possible.”
Mr. CAESAR DOS SANTOS concluded by reaffirming Brazil’s commitment to strengthening agricultural and infrastructure partnerships with Zambia for shared development.
And Zambia’s Minister of Agriculture MTOLO PHIRI has commended the competitive financing options offered by Brazilian entities for the private sector, describing them as highly attractive for Zambia’s development agenda. He also highlighted that the Lobito Corridor remains a priority area for investment and joint ventures.
“We would be very happy to see Brazil get involved in the actual financing and construction of the corridor. The organisations that have pledged resources so far are not conclusive.”
Emphasising the importance of agriculture to Zambia’s economy, Minister Phiri urged Brazilian firms to explore joint venture opportunities with Zambian companies to enhance agricultural production along and beyond the corridor.
“We will be encouraging, very seriously, joint ventures between Zambian and Brazilian firms. We want to see how we can develop along the corridor and beyond, in terms of agricultural productivity,” said Minister Phiri as he concluded by reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to forging deeper economic ties with Brazil, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure development under the Lobito Corridor initiative.
Meanwhile, HENRIQUE DE AZEVEDO AVILA, speaking on behalf of BNDES, noted: “We greatly appreciate the presentation and recognise the engagements by other development partners. For Brazilian companies investing in Zambia, particularly along the Lobito Corridor, BNDES can support exports of Brazilian equipment related to these investments,” a BNDES spokesperson said.
Mr. HENRIQUE DE AZEVEDO AVILA emphasised that while investments abroad remain under the responsibility of Brazilian private investors who bear the inherent business risks, the Bank is able to support export financing for Brazilian machinery and goods linked to those projects.
“If a Brazilian farmer decides to invest in Zambia and establishes a production facility, and if an international bid results in a Brazilian manufacturer offering a competitive price, BNDES can support that specific export,” said HENRIQUE DE AZEVEDO AVILA, adding that, “It is important that movements on the private commercial side and the financing structure side occur together. Government support alone is not sufficient if there is no private sector participation.”
The Zambian delegation is in Brazil for engagements with the Brazilian Government on technical cooperation and support in developing an agriculture development master plan for the Lobito Railway Development Corridor.
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