U.S. President Joe Biden is set to highlight the Lobito Corridor during his visit to Angola on Wednesday, a key infrastructure initiative that aims to reshape supply chains across Africa. The $5 billion project focuses on revitalizing the 1,300-kilometer Benguela railway line, connecting Angola’s Lobito port on the Atlantic Ocean to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with plans to extend it to Zambia in its second phase.
Launched in September 2023, the Lobito Corridor is a centerpiece of Biden’s broader strategy to challenge China’s dominance in global infrastructure development. Funded largely by the U.S.-led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), the project is designed to enhance access to vital minerals like cobalt and copper, which are crucial for electric vehicle manufacturing. A U.S. congressional report revealed that China controls much of the DRC’s mineral resources, underlining the strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor for the U.S. and its allies.
The corridor is expected to significantly reduce transportation costs, unlock agricultural potential, and drive climate-resilient economic growth in the region. The PGI will also support complementary projects such as solar energy development and local electricity networks. The initiative is backed by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, with Angola’s existing $17 billion debt to China highlighting the shifting dynamics of Africa’s economic partnerships.
