The FBL Advogados and Abreu Advogados, in collaboration with Lex Africa, had the privilege of organizing the conference "Lobito Corridor: Impacts on Angola and Sub-Saharan Africa", which brought together over 200 participants on October 4th in Luanda, Angola.

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The event featured high-profile speakers, including His Excellency Mr. Ricardo Viegas D'Abreu, Minister of Transport, Luís Marques Mendes, President of the Strategic Council of Abreu Advogados and State Advisor in Portugal, as well as other key players from the banking and financial services, transportation, logistics, and legal sectors.

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During the Opening Session, Fernando Faria de Bastos, a partner at FBL Advogados, emphasized that the Lobito Corridor represents a "commitment to international collaboration and the establishment of bridges to create value for Angola and neighboring countries."

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In the words of the Managing Partner of Abreu Advogados, Inês Sequeira Mendes, the Lobito Corridor is crucial for new business opportunities, with "unparalleled potential to transform economic dynamics, promoting integration, connectivity, and new business opportunities." She also highlighted the need for collaboration across various sectors, including law, banking, logistics, and transport, to maximize this potential.

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The transportation and logistics infrastructure sector in Angola is also a "lever" for other economic sectors, as underlined by the Minister of Transport. More than just an infrastructure project, Ricardo Viegas d’Abreu pointed out that the impacts of this project reflect development opportunities for African countries and economic diversification.

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The importance of the Lobito Corridor for Angola and Africa was evident throughout the conference, particularly in the first panel, titled "Lobito Corridor: Growth and Expansion of a New Energy Hub." The connection of the Port of Lobito to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a large country with substantial reserve capacity, was a challenge highlighted by several panelists, including Alexandre Canas (Country Manager, Trafigura), Juvenal Coque (Executive Director, DHL Express Angola), Remco Bernaerdts (Associate, Liedekerke), and Manuel Santos Vitor (partner at Abreu Advogados). The panel was moderated by João Bravo da Costa, a partner at FBL Advogados.

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Optimizing this route via the Lobito Corridor allows for reduced transportation costs and, consequently, more competitive prices. The panel gave a highly positive assessment of the project, noting that it will bring Angola closer to other countries in Europe and the US, boost trade in services, and reduce air and rail traffic, making Angola a more attractive country for players in this market.

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Foreign interest, growth incentives, new entrepreneurs, as well as decarbonization and sustainability, were key topics in the conference's second panel. To discuss "New Opportunities and Perspectives for Africa's Future," the panel featured Tatiana Serrão (partner at FBL Advogados), Ricardo Ferreira (CEO, Access Bank Angola), and Vasco Nunes (International Finance Corporation), moderated by Guilherme Santos Silva (partner at Abreu Advogados).

 

Angola is gaining new centrality and international visibility, as concluded by Luís Marques Mendes in the conference’s closing remarks.

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In his words, "the most ambitious project launched in Angola post-independence" goes beyond ports or railways. It is a reality that "touches and drives the mining, energy, industrial, telecommunications, agribusiness, and various other sectors."

With the Lobito Corridor, Africa will be put on the "American radar," said the President of Abreu's Strategic Council, explaining that the realization of this project coincided with a historic moment in the US under President Joe Biden’s administration, presenting an important political shift and an opportunity to balance Angola's governmental partnerships. "The great political relevance is that the United States is committed to the Lobito Corridor and understands that Angola is a great place for investment opportunities," he concluded.

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The event also highlighted the strategic cooperation and vision between FBL Advogados and Abreu Advogados.

The conference marked the 20th anniversary of FBL Advogados, which, over the past two decades, has contributed to Angola’s development, closely following the country’s evolution and supporting clients and partners.

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We celebrate 20 years of history, with our eyes on the future. The conference provided insight into the "opportunities and challenges that await us, always with the ambition to contribute to the sustainable growth and development of Angola and Africa," emphasized Fernando Faria de Bastos.