Luanda, June 24, 2025 (Lusa) — US officials said on Tuesday in Luanda that they are committed to the Lobito Corridor project and that it is “secure,” stressing that financing processes of this magnitude are complex and take time.

“The project is safe, and we are deeply committed to the Lobito Corridor,” said Troy Fitrell, director of the African Affairs Office at the US State Department, at a press conference at the 17th US-Africa Business Summit, which runs until Wednesday in Luanda.

Fitrell highlighted the strong commitment of Washington and private partners to this railway infrastructure, which spans Angola from the Port of Lobito to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, adding that the goal is to mobilise $5 billion (approximately €4.65 billion) in investments for the corridor by attracting new partners.

“We are trying to generate around $5 billion for this project and attract many more investors. Half of these investors joined the project after its beginning, and we attracted them later,” he said.

The US diplomat acknowledged that the negotiation process involves many factors, but stressed that what is at stake is expansion: “We are talking about a large and complex entity. Negotiating everything correctly requires careful attention and takes time. The question of the Lobito Corridor is how far we can go. We want to cross the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

The head of the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Conor Coleman, stressed that teams are working “tirelessly” to complete the financial transaction, in close coordination with all parties involved.

‘The teams are working tirelessly on this transaction with all parties involved: the government, shareholders and all financing partners. We had great discussions this week and are very excited to continue investing in Lobito and also in complementary investments in Angola, DRC and Zambia.’

RCR/ADB // ADB.

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