Lobito: A delegation from the Boma Africa group visited the Port of Lobito to assess its potential and explore opportunities for contributing to the development of the Lobito Corridor. The visit aimed to understand how multinational companies from several African nations could invest in and support Angola’s infrastructure growth.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Paulo Gomes, one of the event’s promoters, stated that the Boma Africa group consists of multinational companies from countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa. These companies are not only interested in investing in the Lobito Corridor but are also keen on supporting local Angolan businesses in playing a significant role in the region’s development.
Gomes emphasized that the Lobito Corridor encompasses more than just infrastructure, highlighting the potential for significant growth among Angolan groups, with support from their African counterparts. He noted influential backing from entities like former Nig
erian President Olusegun Obasanjo to facilitate visits from large Nigerian multinationals to Angola.
Paulo Gomes also mentioned the objective of engaging companies across various sectors to diversify the economy, drawing parallels with economic strategies implemented in Nigeria during Obasanjo’s presidency. He pointed out opportunities in the real estate sector, particularly in addressing the demand for social housing.
Jean Michel Sana Lukonde, president of the Senate of the Democratic Republic of Congo, expressed the commitment of Angola, the DRC, and Zambia to support initiatives that advance the Corridor. He highlighted the involvement of financial institutions such as the African Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund in monitoring investment applicability.
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the former chairperson of the African Union Commission, stressed the importance of regional development and interconnectedness among countries. She underscored the significance of the Lobito Corridor for the Afr
ican continent’s economy and pledged to advocate for investments in the Port and the Corridor as a whole.
The delegation’s agenda also includes a visit to the elephant bay, an unexplored tourist area near Baía Farta, planned for Saturday.