Unleashing investments in the Lobito Corridor​

Ensuring access to finance is a prevailing challenge for the development of the private sector in Zambia. Finance is a pre-requisite for the realisation of both the 8th National Development Plan developed by the Government of the Republic of Zambia, and the Global Gateway strategy of the European Union, as well as the development of the Lobito Corridor which represents a major opportunity for Zambia. Some financing comes from development instruments in the form of grants, but to have a larger and more systemic impact, it is an absolute necessity that we unleash more financing for private sector development.

The European Union has a number of instruments and organisations that are designed to address this. The European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) aims to mobilise 135 billion EUR of both private and public finance, and the European Investment Bank as well as the European Development Finance Institutions are key delivery players in this field.

Conversely, an essential component in unlocking such private sector finance is compliance with ESG standards and sustainable financing regulations, which is often a challenge for investors in emerging markets and developing economies.

Against this backdrop, this plenary will therefore explore the collective Team Europe offer in the realm of private sector financing, and the ESG standards that private sector representatives should be aware of.