Lobito Atlantic Railway

The Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) is a joint venture, operating trains along the Benguela railway corridor.

Route
The railway runs from Lobito, on Angola's Atlantic coast, 1300km eastwards to Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a connection to Zambia.

Joint venture
The Lobito Atlantic Railway is a joint venture between Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis, an independent rail operator. Trafigura plans to invest $455 million in Angola and up to $100 million in Congo.

The United States International Development Finance Corporation is considering a $250m investment.

Operations
The company was awarded the concession to manage the Lobito rail corridor for 30 years in 2022. A ceremony was held in Lobito on 4 July 2023 to mark the transfer, attended by the Presidents of Angola, Congo, and Zambia.

The LAR will provide "a faster and safer route" for passenger trains in Angola, including the "Ombaka Express". There are also plans to improve connectivity for copper and cobalt mines in Congo, especially Kamoa-Kakula.

The railway will use at least 1555 wagons and 30 locomotives in Angola; more, if Congo is included.