Lobito Corridor development sparks debate in France

During a colloquium titled “Angola 2035: Regional Power, Strategic Sovereignty and New Opportunities in Southern Africa” at HEC Paris, Angolan Ambassador to France Guilhermina Prata defended the Lobito Corridor as a vital engine for national wealth and strategic advantage.

Prata argued that the project's success should be measured by the value added within Angola, specifically through supporting agriculture, manufacturing, small and medium enterprises, and youth employment. She emphasized the importance of human capital investment and cooperation with France in technical and vocational training.

However, Ndinga de Deus, a deputy representative of UNITA in France, challenged these assertions. He questioned the transparency of the corridor's revenues and the actual percentage of economic benefits that remain in the country. De Deus expressed skepticism regarding the employment prospects for Angolan youth, stating that the population requires clear policies and tangible improvements in living conditions rather than just data.