03/06/2026
Angolan civil society calls for guaranteed benefits for communities in the Lobito Corridor.
Representatives of Angolan civil society argue that investments in the Lobito Corridor must guarantee concrete benefits for local communities and call for greater protection for populations potentially affected by infrastructure and agro-industrial projects.
The concerns were raised during a meeting held in Cuito, Bié province, between representatives of civil society and a delegation of European Union ambassadors accredited to Angola, who are touring the provinces of Huambo and Bié to monitor projects related to the rail and logistics corridor, one of the priorities of European cooperation with Angola.
Moisés Festo, project coordinator at the Development Workshop (DW) organization, warned of the need to align Angolan legislation with instruments for protecting communities, stressing that "no one should be left behind."
"The goal is to strengthen the existence of instruments that guarantee that any project that is implemented takes into account the rights of communities, especially when there is a risk of land disruption," he stated.
The official argued that investments promoted by the European Union must be aligned with international commitments to protect vulnerable populations.
"We want to emphasize the need for instruments promoted by the European Union that ensure the harmonization of the national legislative package with international standards for the protection of rural communities," he stressed. Among the points considered critical is also the social responsibility of the companies involved.
"Every company that comes to explore or invest in the Lobito Corridor must take into account the real needs of the population, in order to avoid creating points of tension and social conflict," he appealed.
Moisés Festo also considered it fundamental that the hiring of labor prioritizes the local population. "If there is a need for qualified labor that does not exist in the community, then it can be sought from outside."
But whatever can be done locally should be done with the communities.” On the other hand, he considered it necessary to have more publicity about the project, as there is “concern about what will happen to the lands that are within the Lobito Corridor zone,” he said.
João Misselo da Silva, development consultant at the Angolan Chamber of Business Development, considered that the concrete effects of the corridor are not yet visible, but highlighted the "political will of the Angolan Government, the European Union and other partners to create a mass of investment".
According to the consultant, the success of the corridor will depend on creating conditions that attract investors and promote good governance. "It is necessary to work to improve the legal mechanisms, in order to guarantee legal security for those who want to invest in Angola," he argued.
Misselo also considered it essential that communities be involved in the identification and formulation of projects so that they can "appropriate the knowledge, participate in the planning and integrate the ex*****on, so that the projects are sustainable and adapted to local realities."
A delegation led by representatives of the European Union in Angola is undertaking a three-day visit to monitor key investments in Lobito Corridor, an infrastructure project that runs from the Atlantic coast of Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo, considered strategic for the flow of minerals and integration with other transport corridors in Africa.
The visit includes meetings with local authorities, representatives from the business sector, and civil society organizations in the provinces of Huambo and Bié.
Representantes da sociedade civil angolana defendem que os investimentos no Corredor do Lobito devem garantir benefícios concretos para as comunidades locais e pedem maior proteção para as populações potencialmente afetadas pelos projetos de infraestruturas e agroindústria.