Visit of U.S. President Joe Biden is “an excellent opportunity for Angola”: Catholic Archbishop

The Lobito Corridor is a railway project that stretches from the Angolan port of Lobito on Africa’s Atlantic coast to the city of Kolwezi in the DRC. 

Archbishop Zeca also highlighted the potential for tourism development linked to the Lobito Corridor, emphasizing the need for infrastructure improvements, including hotels and measures to combat diseases like malaria. 

The Catholic Archbishop further said, “This partnership is seen as fundamental for the country's development, especially in key areas such as the reconstruction of the Lobito railroad, which was severely damaged after the civil war and has not yet reached its full potential.”

He noted that with the reconstruction of the rail corridor, the transportation of goods could be complemented by tourism, attracting international tourists.

The Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) said, “For Angolans to capitalize on this opportunity, it is necessary to guarantee a safe and transparent environment for business.”

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Visit of U.S. President Joe Biden is “an excellent opportunity for Angola”: Catholic Archbishop

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He also underlined the need for Angolans to work to diversify the country's economy, using investments available to them to strengthen agricultural production and to develop local processing industries for products such as wheat, corn and fish.

In the city of Benguela, Joe Biden concluded his working day with a multilateral summit on the Lobito Corridor. He announced an increase in U.S. investment in the Lobito Corridor by another 600 million US$.

On his part, Bishop Martín Lasarte Topolansky of Angola’s Lwena Diocese described the Lobito Corridor as an avenue for youth employment and entrepreneurship. 

“We have to create youth entrepreneurship, sources of work, agricultural associations, and the timber industry,” Bishop Topolansky said.

Speaking to journalists on December 4, Bishop António Francisco Jaca of Benguela Diocese expressed hope that the Lobito Corridor would lead to jobs, infrastructure development, and food security. 

“I hope that the Lobito Corridor will guarantee jobs and greater development here in our region,” Bishop Jaca told ACI Africa.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would prioritize the well-being of Angola, Africa, and the interconnected global economy.

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.