In this edition of Coffee with the Editor, Railways Africa Editor, Phillippa Dean, speaks with Nicholas Fournier, the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR).

Fournier shares his insights on the rehabilitation of the Lobito Railway line from Lobito in Angola through to Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He highlights progress in track refurbishment, the introduction of new rolling stock from Galison (South Africa) and CRRC (China), and the company’s significant investment in workforce development and training.

The discussion explores current and projected cargo volumes, the balance between freight and passenger operations, and the role of new technologies in improving efficiency. Fournier also explains LAR’s position within the broader Lobito Corridor initiative, clarifying the company’s commercial remit while outlining financing strategies — including over half a billion US dollars already invested by shareholders Trafigura and Mota-Engil, and ongoing funding discussions with DBSA and DFC.