LE BRIEF

Zambia / Angola: preferred consortia named for the 830-kilometre Zambia–Lobito railway

LE BRIEF • 2026-10-28

Africa Finance Corporation advances the selection of contractors for the railway link towards Lobito. Preferred-bidder status opens negotiations but is neither a final EPC contract nor the start of construction.

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LE BRIEF — Wednesday, 28 October 2026 edition By the LE BRIEF newsroom Country : Zambia / Angola Event : Preferred consortia designated on 27 October 2026. Rail freight: supplied illustrative photograph. It does not show construction of the new Zambia–Lobito connection. The Zambia–Lobito project has reached a preparatory milestone with the designation of preferred consortia for engineering, procurement and construction contracts. Information published on 27 October 2026 describes approximately 830 kilometres of new railway connecting Zambia’s mining regions with the Angolan network leading to the Atlantic port of Lobito. Africa Finance Corporation selected the groups through an international process. Their preferred-bidder status opens negotiations; it does not yet amount to final construction contract awards. Two groups for the national sections The preferred consortium for the Zambian section includes Webuild, Mota-Engil and IC İçtaş Construction. The group for the Angolan section combines Mota-Engil with Odebrecht Engineering and Construction. Discussions must establish the technical, commercial and legal conditions for the works. Implementation arrangements therefore remain a key issue to follow before any announcement that physical construction has begun. An Atlantic route for African minerals The corridor is intended to facilitate transport of copper and other minerals....