Angola shared with Mozambique its experience in mobilising private investment for the development of logistics platforms and the utilisation of agricultural output along the Lobito Corridor, highlighting how public-private partnerships have enabled the modernisation of transport infrastructure, improved the flow of agricultural products to market, and created conditions for economic diversification.

The experience was presented by Jorge Bengue Calumbo, Angola’s Secretary of State for Land Transport, during the inaugural edition of the Mozambique Transport and Logistics Investment Forum and Exhibition (TRANS-LOG MOZ 2026).

In his address, Bengue Calumbo explained that Angola launched a transformation process for the Lobito Corridor in 2022, aiming to convert it into an economic development platform. “We had to bet on partnerships with the private sector, to attract private investment,” he said, adding that the Angolan government introduced legislative changes, incentives and other facilitation measures to strengthen investor confidence.

According to Bengue Calumbo, the need to improve logistics efficiency became particularly evident given the losses recorded in agricultural production along the corridor. “A good percentage — between 30% and 35% of what is produced along the Lobito Corridor — deteriorates and is wasted due to a lack of supply and an efficient transport and logistics service,” he said.

To address these constraints, Angola established a network of logistics platforms designed to bring agricultural producers closer to markets, facilitate storage and the movement of goods, and stimulate local processing of produce. “We launched a network of logistics platforms, also with a view to securing private partners,” the Secretary of State explained.

As a concrete example, Bengue Calumbo highlighted a private investment initiative in the region between the provinces of Huambo and Bié — an avocado-producing area — where a partner from the Netherlands decided to participate in the construction of a logistics platform for the collection, processing and export of agricultural output.

Angola bets on private partnerships to improve agricultural outflow and drive economic diversification

The Angolan official also noted that the Lobito Corridor development strategy is accompanied by the Diversifica Mais programme, which brings together international partners — including the European Union, the United States and the World Bank — to support local producers through training and access to equipment. The programme forms part of Angola’s broader effort to reduce dependence on oil and promote agricultural activity.

On the railway side, Bengue Calumbo highlighted that the entry of a private operator in 2024 made it possible to advance the modernisation of the Lobito Corridor, which currently has approximately US$753 million in private investment under way, directed at infrastructure improvements, digital transformation, telecommunications, signalling and workforce training.

Angola’s experience was presented as a demonstration of how the integration of transport, logistics, agricultural production and private investment can generate value along corridors — an approach that could serve as a reference point for similar projects in Mozambique.

The address took place during the ministerial panel titled “Northern Region Corridor: Nacala”, moderated by Fernando Sebastião Ouana, National Director of Logistics and Private Sector Development in Transport. Agostinho Langa, Chair of the Board of Mozambique’s railway company Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), also participated. The debate focused on regional integration, the development of transport corridors and infrastructure projects with the potential to attract financing through to 2027.

About the event

The inaugural edition of TRANS-LOG MOZ 2026 concluded on Thursday (5th), after two days of debate in Maputo. The forum brought together government officials from Southern African countries, investors, financial institutions and economic operators to discuss infrastructure financing, the modernisation of logistics corridors, the reduction of transport costs and the strengthening of regional commercial integration.

Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=558606