Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) moved at least 27,000 tonnes of diversified cargo along the Lobito Corridor in July, marking the concessionaire’s highest monthly volume since taking over operations and signalling an effort to expand the route beyond its traditional mining focus.
The company is targeting approximately 400,000 tonnes of cargo for the full year, with about half expected to comprise copper and cobalt transported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the Atlantic port of Lobito in Angola’s Benguela province.
LAR operates the Benguela Railway on the Lobito-Luau section up to the DRC border and manages the Lobito Port Mining Terminal. According to the company, the July record was achieved as part of an ongoing programme to acquire capital equipment, while infrastructure rehabilitation and improved operational coordination contributed to the increase in volumes.
The 2026 target represents a significant increase from the roughly 265,000 tonnes transported along the corridor in 2025. Reaching 400,000 tonnes would therefore require sustained growth in monthly cargo movements rather than simply maintaining last year’s performance.
Chief executive Nicholas Fournier said the company was focused on providing logistics solutions that would enable businesses to plan cargo movements with greater predictability.
That reliability is particularly important for Copperbelt exporters, who have historically relied heavily on road transport despite the Lobito Corridor offering a shorter route to the Atlantic. Consistent rail schedules could encourage companies to shift more cargo from roads to rail if exporters can depend on regular capacity and predictable delivery times.
LAR is also seeking to broaden the corridor’s commercial base. The company has identified opportunities in mining, agriculture, general trade and energy, including the movement of fuel, gas and other strategic products to support distribution across Angola.
The expansion into non-mineral cargo could be important for the long-term viability of the corridor. A railway dominated by westbound mineral exports risks operating with limited eastbound cargo. Agricultural products, fuel and general merchandise could provide additional traffic and improve the economics of the corridor.
The company’s growth plans are backed by significant investment. In June, LAR drew approximately $300 million from a $753 million financing facility. It has indicated an expectation of doubling cargo volumes next year and has set a longer-term ambition of moving one million tonnes annually by 2030.
LAR currently employs 945 people, with Angolan nationals accounting for 97% of its workforce. The company says it maintains continuous training in railway operations, maintenance and safety.
For logistics operators across the Southern African Development Community, the immediate significance of the July milestone is less about replacing existing road corridors than adding capacity to regional freight networks.
At 400,000 tonnes annually, the Lobito Corridor will remain a relatively small share of Copperbelt export volumes. However, sustained growth in agricultural, fuel and general cargo could create new opportunities for hauliers and feeder operators around Luau and on the Angolan side.
For businesses assessing the corridor, monthly cargo volumes and service reliability will provide a clearer indication of its commercial potential than the longer-term one-million-tonne ambition alone.
