US Backs Angola’s Lobito Rail Corridor to Counter China
TLDR
- The US is investing heavily in the Lobito rail corridor, which links Angola’s Atlantic coast to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.
- Revitalized by a Trafigura-led consortium with US support, the 1,100-mile railway now delivers minerals in less than a week, down from over a month.
- The Biden administration has pledged $553 million to the project, alongside $1.6 billion for a new 500-mile line connecting Zambia’s copper belt to Lobito.
The US is investing heavily in the Lobito rail corridor, which links Angola’s Atlantic coast to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia. The goal is to secure access to critical minerals like copper and cobalt, which are essential for electric vehicles and the energy transition away from fossil fuels.
Revitalized by a Trafigura-led consortium with US support, the 1,100-mile railway now delivers minerals in less than a week, down from over a month. The Biden administration has pledged $553 million to the project, alongside $1.6 billion for a new 500-mile line connecting Zambia’s copper belt to Lobito, bypassing the DRC. This initiative counters China, which dominates mineral production in the region and has heavily invested in alternate routes.
The US has committed nearly $5 billion to projects along the corridor, including agriculture and energy, while Western companies like KoBold Metals and Barrick Gold are expanding operations in Zambia.
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Key Takeaways
The Lobito corridor underscores the competition for Africa’s resources. The DRC and Zambia hold 10% of global copper reserves and most of the world’s cobalt. While Chinese firms dominate production, the US aims to reduce supply chain dependence on China. Investments in the rail corridor represent a strategic push to secure critical minerals and counter Beijing’s influence, with bipartisan support ensuring continuity despite leadership changes in Washington.
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