ANGOLA
EU Strengthens Partnership with Angola Through €76.5M Investment in Lobito Corridor nother Feature
The European Union has reinforced its partnership with Angola by committing €76.5 million to support economic growth and regional connectivity through the Lobito Corridor. This investment, announced during the Angola-France Economic Forum in Paris, marks a significant step in fostering sustainable development and trade between Angola and the EU.
Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela and Angolan President João Lourenço emphasized the importance of strengthening ties, particularly through the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which aims to mobilize €300 billion in sustainable investments worldwide. This new financial package is designed to boost trade, improve vocational training, and promote environmental conservation, all while enhancing Angola’s economic diversification.
Key Components of the Assistance Package
- Trade and Investment (€8.5M): This initiative will improve Angola’s business environment, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and enhance market access, promoting sustainable trade and green transition.
- PROSPERA – Vocational Training (€43M): Aimed at bridging the skills gap in key economic sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, and transport, this initiative will expand vocational education, create job opportunities, and promote entrepreneurship, particularly in regions connected to the Lobito Corridor.
- Biodiversity and Ecotourism (€25M): With a focus on restoring Angola’s natural heritage, this funding will support conservation efforts, strengthen community involvement in biodiversity protection, and position Angola as a key ecotourism destination.
Strategic Importance of the Lobito Corridor
The Lobito Corridor plays a crucial role in linking Angola with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, facilitating the trade of essential raw materials and fostering industrial growth. By investing in infrastructure and connectivity, the EU aims to enhance Angola’s economic resilience and create long-term opportunities for its people.
This collaboration, part of the broader Team Europe Initiative, underscores the EU’s commitment to sustainable economic partnerships, ensuring Angola's integration into global markets while promoting inclusive development.
Sources: European Union | lusa.com | verangola.net
Get your BIETC/ECTN/BESC/Waiver/Certificate for Angola
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Powering the future: How Ingo lll Can Unlock the Potential of the Lobito Corridor
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is placing high hopes on the Inga III hydroelectric project as a game-changer for economic growth and energy security. During recent discussions with leaders from Angola, Zambia, and the United States, President Félix Tshisekedi highlighted Inga III’s crucial role in maximizing the Lobito Corridor’s potential. He emphasized that without reliable and sustainable energy, the DRC’s mining and industrial sectors cannot fully thrive.
Lobito Corridor: More Than Just a Trade Route
The Lobito Corridor is more than a logistical pathway—it is envisioned as an economic engine that could revolutionize trade and industry in Central and Southern Africa. By improving railway and transport infrastructure, the corridor will attract high-value investments into the DRC and Zambia’s mining sector, which is currently dominated by Chinese companies.
The U.S. sees this corridor as a strategic opportunity to enhance economic diversification, particularly in agriculture and mineral processing. One example is KoBold Metals, a startup backed by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, which plans to expand into the DRC, signaling growing interest from Western investors.
Energy Shortages: A Roadblock to Growth
However, the lack of reliable electricity has been a major obstacle to investment. The DRC has lost an estimated $5 billion in mining revenues over the past four years due to power shortages, forcing companies to import costly electricity and fuel.
The Inga III project, if realized, would power the Lobito Corridor, provide clean energy, and boost industrial productivity. The World Bank has already announced a $1 billion investment in Africa’s energy security, but discussions on Inga III’s funding and development are still ongoing.
A Future Built on Energy and Transparency
President Tshisekedi reaffirmed his commitment to institutional reforms and transparent governance to attract investors and ensure responsible management of the DRC’s vast resources. If successfully implemented, Inga III could reshape the region’s economy, enabling sustainable development, job creation, and global trade integration.
Sources: bankable.africa | en.zoom-eco.net
Get your BIETC/ECTN/BESC/Waiver/Certificate for DRC
DJIBOUTI
A Strategic Hub Amidst Red Sea Tensions
The ongoing Red Sea crisis, triggered by attacks on commercial vessels by Houthi rebels, has significantly disrupted global trade. However, Djibouti, strategically located at the Bab al-Mandab Strait, has turned this challenge into an opportunity by emerging as a safe logistical hub for maritime operations.
Why Djibouti Matters
Djibouti’s strategic location on the Gulf of Aden, controlling access to the Red Sea, has made it a crucial transit point for global trade. Before the crisis, the Suez Canal handled 30% of global container traffic, transporting around 12% of world trade. Since December 2023, disruptions have reduced traffic through the canal by 37%, leading to increased demand for alternative routes.
With shipping companies avoiding the Suez Canal, Djibouti has experienced a 10% increase in port activity in early 2024. The Doraleh Container Terminal, one of Africa’s largest, is handling an increasing number of cargo shipments. Djibouti now sees 90 ships per day passing through its waters, with 59% of these vessels arriving from Asia and 21% from Europe.
A Military and Economic Powerhouse
Djibouti also hosts multiple international military bases, including those of the United States, France, China, and Japan. These bases generate €128 million annually, contributing to 3% of Djibouti’s GDP. The U.S. military presence alone accounts for €56 million per year. This military presence enhances maritime security, making Djibouti a trusted port for global shipping companies.
Despite security concerns, Djibouti has capitalized on the crisis, increasing port activity and solidifying its role as a key trade gateway for landlocked countries like Ethiopia and South Sudan. Ethiopia alone relies on Djibouti for 90% of its imports, further strengthening the country’s economic position.
Looking Ahead
As tensions in the Red Sea persist, Djibouti remains essential in maintaining global trade flow between the East and West. With its growing logistics sector, advanced port infrastructure, and strategic location, it is well-positioned to become Africa’s leading maritime hub in the years to come.
Sources: lanation.dj | nos.nl
Get your BIETC/ECTN/BESC/Waiver/Certificate for Djibouti
CAMEROON
Kribi Port's New Terminal: Transforming Central Africa's Trade Landscape
The Kribi Deepwater Port in southern Cameroon is set to enhance its role as a central African trade hub with the imminent launch of its second container terminal. This new terminal, boasting a quay length of 715 meters—double that of the first terminal—is nearing completion and is expected to welcome its first vessel by late February or early March 2025.
Operated by Kribi Containers Terminal (KCT), a consortium comprising Africa Global Logistics (formerly Bolloré), Chinese firm CHEC, and French shipping giant CMA CGM, the new facility includes a 33-hectare storage area. Recent equipment deliveries between September and October 2024, representing an investment of over CFA50 billion, have prepared the terminal for operations, with total costs projected at CFA70 billion.
The expansion is part of Phase 2 of the Kribi Deepwater Port project, which also encompasses terminals for hydrocarbons and minerals, aiming to support Cameroon's burgeoning mining sector. The overall cost of this phase is estimated at CFA400 billion, with 75% funded by China's Eximbank.
The new terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art handling equipment, including seven dock gantry cranes, 25 yard gantry cranes, and various support vehicles, enabling it to accommodate larger vessels directly from Asia, the Indian subcontinent,and Europe. This development is expected to triple the port's capacity to handle up to one million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually, solidifying its status as a key maritime hub in the Gulf of Guinea.
Beyond infrastructure, the second phase of KCT's operations is anticipated to create over 300 direct jobs, bolster Kribi's industrial-port platform, and stimulate economic exchanges throughout the subregion. With its modern facilities and strategic location, the Kribi Deepwater Port is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing trade and economic growth in Cameroon and the broader Central African region.
Sources: businessincameroon.com | AGL-group | WorldCargo News | Seatrade Maritime News
Get your BIETC/ECTN/BESC/Waiver/Certificate for Cameroon
CONGO
Pointe-Noire Port Expansion: Driving Economic Growth And Energy Trade in Central Africa
The Port of Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo is set for a major expansion to solidify its position as a key maritime hub in Central Africa. The €400 million project, led by Africa Global Logistics (AGL) in partnership with China Road and Bridge Corporation, will include 750 meters of deep quays, 26 hectares of terminal space, 16 gantries, and modern electrical equipment.
Expected to be operational by early 2027, the expansion will double container handling capacity from 1 million to 2.3 million containers annually and create up to 900 new jobs. A major dredging project will widen the channel to 300 meters, enabling the port to accommodate larger vessels that will boost trade and energy exports.
A Strategic Hub for Oil and Gas Exports
The expansion aligns with the Republic of Congo’s ambitious energy goals, particularly in oil and LNG production. The country plans to increase crude oil output to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) and expand LNG capacity to 3 million tons per year (mtpa) by 2025. The Pointe-Noire terminal will play a crucial role in facilitating these exports.
The Congo LNG project, which started in December 2023, has already positioned the country as a regional LNG exporter. A second floating LNG (FLNG) vessel is being constructed in China to expand production further. Additionally, Chinese energy company Wing Wah is developing an onshore LNG project to process previously flared gas, reinforcing the importance of the Pointe-Noire port expansion.
Investment and Economic Impact
The port’s development is not just about energy—it is set to attract further investment across multiple industries, increase regional trade, and stimulate economic growth.
This transformation will strengthen infrastructure, enhance global connectivity, and create new business opportunities, positioning Pointe-Noire as a leading trade and energy hub in Africa.
Sources: AGL group | eiffage.co.uk | maritimafrica.com
Get your BIETC/ECTN/BESC/Waiver/Certificate for Congo