Zambia is proud to have partnered with the European Union in Zambia to deliver the EU–Lobito Corridor Business Forum, held from 12 to 14 November 2025 at Ciela Resort in Lusaka. The three-day Forum gathered more than 700 participants from Europe, Zambia, and neighbouring countries to advance a shared agenda to strengthen regional connectivity, trade, and industrialisation along the Lobito Corridor.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of 10 new funding agreements worth over €200 million in the presence of President Hakainde Hichilema and Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela, which strengthened the partnership among the Government of Zambia, the European Union, and Team Europe partners.
The package demonstrates the Global Gateway approach: investments that connect infrastructure with people — jobs, training, and sustainable industries.
• €50 million (ZMW 1.3 billion) -Railway Sector Support Programme – to rehabilitate and modernise Zambia Railways’ infrastructure, improve efficiency, and prepare the system for integration into the Lobito Corridor and other regional routes.
• €20 million (ZMW 522 million) -Nexus Energy–Water (NEWZA 2.0) Programme – improving water management and renewable energy use in North-Western Zambia, complemented by €80 million (ZMW 2 billion) in additional financing from Germany and the European Investment Bank.
• €40 million (ZMW 1 billion) Budget Support for Education Reforms – to modernise Zambia’s education system and expand access to skills and vocational training.
• €36 million (ZMW 940 million) ENTERPRISE Zambia 2.0 – supporting smallholder farmers with sustainable agriculture, market access, and job creation (co-financed with €8 million from Germany).
• €9.8 million (ZMW 256 million) Artisanal Mining Programme – providing training and formalisation for artisanal miners, promoting safer practices and sustainable employment.
• €1.6 million (ZMW 42 million) GREENTech4CE – grants for green, circular, and digital SMEs, strengthening Zambia’s private sector.
• €30 million (ZMW 783 million) European Investment Bank & Zambia National Industrial Commercial Bank (EIB–ZICB) Financing Agreement – to boost lending for agri-businesses and women-led SMEs in climate-resilient value chains
• Additionally, the Ilute Solar Project received €3.5 million (ZMW 91 million) under ElectriFi, marking one of the first private solar investments under Zambia’s new open-access energy framework.
The PDU remains committed to coordinating Government efforts and ensuring that the investments transition into measurable progress, improved public services, and strengthened livelihoods across the country.
