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Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) announced on Friday the successful financial close of the $753 million Lobito Corridor Railway Project in Angola, marking one of Africa’s most significant cross-border transport infrastructure transactions.

The funding will support the rehabilitation, upgrade, and long-term operation of the 1,300-kilometre brownfield rail corridor linking the Port of Lobito in Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border, strengthening regional connectivity and trade.

AFC acted as Co-Financial Adviser alongside Eaglestone, leading the structuring and mobilisation of financing for the Borrower and Concessionaire, Lobito Atlantic Railway S.A. (LAR), a joint venture between Mota-Engil and Trafigura. $553 million was provided by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). $200 million came from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC, said the financial close of the Lobito Corridor Railway Project underscores AFC’s leadership in delivering complex transformational infrastructure that advances Africa’s industrialisation and regional integration.

Nuno Gil, Founding Partner of Eaglestone, added that the transaction demonstrates that complex, multi-lender, cross-border project financings can be structured and successfully closed on the continent.

The Lobito Corridor is regarded as one of Africa’s most strategic transport routes. Its rehabilitation is expected to facilitate regional trade between Angola and the DRC, strengthen access to global markets via the Port of Lobito, and unlock new opportunities for industrialisation and economic growth across Southern Africa.

AFC said this milestone reinforces its position as a trusted partner in financing critical infrastructure. By enabling greater connectivity and supporting regional trade corridors, the Lobito Corridor Railway Project represents a major step in advancing Africa’s economic transformation.