Africa-Press – Angola. The potential of the Lobito Corridor and cooperation with Africa were two of the main issues that dominated the debates at the European Union’s (EU) high-level conference, held this week in Rome, Italy, with the aim of strengthening ties between African countries and the European Union.
Under the slogan “The Mattei Plan for Africa and the EU’s Global Gateway: a common effort with the African continent”, the event brought together political leaders and representatives of the private sector, who discussed concrete cooperation initiatives between Italy, the EU and African countries.
The conference was attended by an Angolan delegation led by ambassador Maria Cuandina de Carvalho, accompanied by the Angolan ambassador to Italy, Maria de Fátima Jardim, according to a press release Saturday.
At the event, Speakers stressed that the Lobito Corridor, also known as the Benguela Railway (CFB), plays a strategic role in connecting the African interior to the Atlantic Ocean, benefiting landlocked countries such as Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
More than just a trade route, the statement said, the Lobito Corridor is an essential way for these countries to enter global markets, facilitating the export of minerals, agricultural products and manufactured goods.
With a total length of 1,866 kilometers, the CFB represents an important link between the Angolan interior and coast, as well as between Angola and its neighbors. From Luau, it connects to the railway systems of Katanga province, DRC, and Zambia. Through Zambia, the railway system connects to Beira (Mozambique) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), reinforcing regional integration and boosting intercontinental trade.
Quoted in the note, the director general of the Angolan Ministry of Transport, Eugénio Fernandes, highlighted the economic and social importance of the Lobito Corridor for the southern African region.
According to the note, discussions took place in three thematic sessions, addressing ongoing projects and the synergy between the Mattei Plan, promoted by Italy, and the European Global Gateway strategy.
Parallel sessions also explored other strategic axes of the Euro-African partnership, such as digital infrastructures, Euro-Mediterranean energy cooperation and the coffee value chain on the African continent.
The event took place one year after the 2024 Italy-Africa Summit and one month after the inauguration of the new leadership of the African Union, chaired by the president of Angola, João Lourenço.
Both the Mattei Plan and the Global Gateway prioritize sustainable and strategic investments, aligned with African needs and the interests of the EU and Italy in terms of economic security.
According to the Italian government, these initiatives aim to boost key sectors in order to generate a lasting impact on the socio-economic development of the continent, promoting the participation of the private sector and the transfer of knowledge.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
