Zambia Bets on a Western Railway to Ship Its Copper to the Sea
Zambia plans to construct a western railway linking its Copperbelt mining region to the Angolan port of Lobito. The project, financed by a mix of African development funds and U.S. assistance, aims to begin construction in late 2026 with operations slated for 2027‑2028. Zambia is also maintaining the China‑backed TAZARA line to keep an alternative route to the Indian Ocean open.
- ▪The Zambia‑Lobito railway will connect the Copperbelt to Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito, providing a new export corridor for copper and cobalt.
- ▪Construction of Zambia’s portion is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2026, with the line expected to be operational by 2027‑2028.
- ▪Funding includes a $753 million facility from the Africa Finance Corporation and a U.S. pledge of $250 million, alongside an expanded U.S. grant of $491 million for critical‑minerals infrastructure.
- ▪The railway is designed to transport copper and cobalt, metals deemed essential for the global energy transition.
- ▪Zambia is simultaneously reviving the China‑backed TAZARA railway to the Indian Ocean, ensuring it retains multiple export routes.
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Southern Africa Africa Zambia Bets on a Western Railway to Ship Its Copper to the Sea By Amina Diarra · June 26, 2026 · 5 min read Daily Brief The morning intel from across Latin America. Free. Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy. We never share your email. ZAMBIA · MINERALS & MARKETS Key Facts —New route west: The Zambia Lobito copper railway would link the Copperbelt to Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito. —Timeline: Zambia aims to start building its section by the third quarter of 2026, with operations expected by 2027 to 2028. —Western money: An Africa Finance Corporation facility of 753 million dollars and a US pledge of 250 million are funding the corridor.
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