Mota-Engil Signs Concession Contract for 1,004.5 km Railway in DR Congo

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 26, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construção África signed the concession contract and cooperation agreement for the Dilolo–Sakania railway. The line spans 1,004.5 km with a 30-year concession period, passing through Kolwezi, Tenke, and Lubumbashi, and connects to the Angolan railway network at Dilolo, linking to the Port of Lobito on the Atlantic coast.

The scope of the contract includes project financing, railway rehabilitation, modernization, expansion, operation, maintenance, and asset transfer upon expiration of the concession period. The indicative investment amount for the project, as announced by the Presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is approximately USD 1.258 billion. The line will handle the transport of mineral products, agricultural products, industrial raw materials, petroleum products, consumer goods, and passengers.

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) issued a letter of interest to Mota-Engil in December 2025 regarding the Dilolo–Sakania railway rehabilitation, operation, and transfer project. Under this letter, the project may apply for up to USD 1 billion in DFC financing upon completion of a full review; this arrangement currently remains a financing intention and does not constitute completed financing.

Mota-Engil also currently holds a 50% interest in the Lobito Atlantic Railway operation project, which covers approximately 1,300 km of railway within Angola, extending from the Port of Lobito to the DR Congo border. Following the signing of the Dilolo–Sakania line contract, Mota-Engil's railway concession footprint further extends into the mining railway network within the DR Congo.