ROME: THE Italian-African Development Part- nership Programme (Mattei Plan for Africa) is set to revolutionise infrastructure development across the continent, with a key focus on establishing a robust railway connection from Lobito, Angola, to Dar es Sa- laam, Tanzania.

During a significant meeting held in Rome on Thursday, Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, proposed naming the vital link ‘Lobito-Dar Corridor’, saying it is potential to seamlessly connect the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The Lobito Corridor already boasts established railway infrastructure linking Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.

The Mattei Plan seeks to enhance this network, fostering greater connectivity, trade and investment throughout Africa, while acknowledging the strategic importance of the TAZARA Railway.

Addressing the conference’s central theme of in- frastructure investment via the Lobito Corridor, Minister Kombo lauded Italy’s initiative, highlighting its potential to unlock strategic opportunities in key sectors such as trade, investment, agriculture, mining and technology.

He said Tanzania has agricultural potential, particularly in coffee farming, inviting Italian businesses to invest and contribute to mitigating challenges like illegal migration in Europe by creating employ- ment opportunities for African youth.

Zambian Minister for Transport, Frank Tayali, shared his nation’s vision of transforming Zambia into a land-linked hub. He said Lobito Corridor and TAZARA Railway play a key role of connecting Zambia with its neighbours and facilitating trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In a parallel event, Minister Kombo participated in a stakeholder dialogue fo- cused on enhancing Africa’s coffee value chain.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Mattei Plan for Africa and EU Global Gateway conference, attracted Italian and EU officials, major coffee companies, financial institu- tions and representatives from FAO and IFAD.

Minister Kombo urged stakeholders to ramp up investments in Africa’s coffee sector, emphasising its potential to drive economic growth, combat climate change through carbon absorption and create jobs for young people.