• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has requested $500 million from the World Bank to fund its part of the Lobito Corridor.

• The corridor links Angola, the DRC, and Zambia, forming Africa’s first open-access transcontinental rail network.

• The World Bank expressed interest in the project and will study financing modalities following talks with DRC’s Finance Minister.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has asked the World Bank for $500 million to finance its share of the Lobito Corridor, a major regional infrastructure project designed to boost exports and economic integration.

The request was made on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, following discussions between Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba and Anna Bjerde, the World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance published on October 19, 2025, the World Bank showed interest in the project and agreed to examine potential financing arrangements.

Washington | 18 octobre 2025

En marge des Assemblées annuelles du FMI et de la Banque mondiale, le Ministre des Finances, Doudou Fwamba @LikundeR Li-Botayi, a échangé avec la Directrice générale de la Banque mondiale, Mme Anna Bjerde.

Les discussions ont porté sur le corridor… pic.twitter.com/8j4U3Defsi

— Ministère des Finances, RDC (@financesrdc) October 19, 2025

The Lobito Corridor connects the Port of Lobito in Angola to Katanga Province in DRC and the Copperbelt in Zambia. It is Africa’s first open-access transcontinental railway, designed to unlock regional trade potential and expand mineral exports.

The corridor aims to stimulate economic growth, improve transport efficiency, and enhance regional integration across Central and Southern Africa.

A report by Agence Ecofin Pro, published on October 15, 2025, described the infrastructure as a strategic export route for critical minerals from the DRC and Zambia to international markets.

The rail line offers a faster and more cost-effective alternative to existing export routes through Tanzania or South Africa, cutting shipping times to six days, compared to 14 to 25 days via traditional routes.

Officials view the project as vital to diversifying export pathways and increasing competitiveness for the region’s copper and cobalt producers, which are key to global green energy supply chains.

During the meeting, Fwamba and Bjerde also discussed ongoing structural reforms, budget support, and the security situation in eastern DRC, which continues to weigh on economic stability.

The World Bank is expected to assess the financing proposal as part of its broader engagement with the DRC on governance and infrastructure development.

This article was initially published in French by Lydie Mobio

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum