Mota-Engil has secured a 30-year concession to modernise and operate a railway in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), starengthening the transport network connecting the country’s copper and cobalt mining regions to Angola’s Lobito Corridor.
The Portuguese construction group said investment over the concession period is expected to reach $1.8 billion, creating a major long-term infrastructure project while expanding its order backlog.
Railway to Connect Congo’s Mining Belt to Atlantic Markets
The 1,037-kilometre railway will connect mining areas in Lualaba and Haut-Katanga with Angola’s rail network and the Atlantic Ocean through the port of Lobito.
The upgraded railway is expected to handle as much as 13.7 million tonnes of freight annually, providing mining companies with an alternative export route for copper, cobalt and other critical minerals.
For the DRC, the project could significantly improve access to international markets while reducing some of the logistical constraints associated with transporting minerals overland.
Lobito Corridor Gains Strategic Importance
The railway concession adds momentum to the development of the Lobito Corridor, which has received strong backing from the United States.
Washington has supported the corridor through financing and diplomatic engagement as it seeks to strengthen access to critical minerals needed for batteries and other strategic industries.
The corridor is also part of a broader effort to diversify global mineral supply chains away from excessive dependence on China.
The DRC is the world’s second-largest copper producer and a major global source of cobalt, making its transport infrastructure strategically important to international manufacturers.
Mota-Engil Already Active on Lobito Route
Mota-Engil is already involved in the railway network connecting Angola’s mining areas to Lobito port.
The company is part of a consortium operating the Angolan railway, alongside Trafigura and other partners.
Its new DRC concession therefore gives the company a greater role across the wider corridor, potentially allowing it to benefit from increasing mineral flows between the DRC, Angola and international markets.
Boost for African Mining Infrastructure
The project highlights the growing importance of rail infrastructure to Africa’s mining industry.
As demand for copper, cobalt and other critical minerals increases, efficient transport networks will be essential for African producers seeking to expand exports and attract investment.
For the DRC, modernising the railway could help lower logistics costs, improve export capacity and strengthen connections between mining regions and global markets.
The development of the Lobito Corridor also demonstrates how African mining infrastructure is becoming increasingly linked to the global competition for critical minerals and more diversified supply chains.