By Bunmi Oyinsan (Ph.D.)
The Lobito Corridor, a rejuvenated railway and trade route spanning Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, has ignited global Interest. Promising to connect the Mineral-rich interior of Africa with the Atlantic port of Lobito, this project is seen as a game-changer for regional trade. Yet, beneath the optimism lies a Familiar pattern: Africa’s resources are extracted and exported, benefiting external powers while local economies and ecosystems remain at risk.
The Lobito Corridor exemplified the geopolitical tug of war between the United States and China. The US-backed consortium aims to reduce Africa’s reliance on China, which has invested heavily in infrastructure. For Washington, the corridor is a strategic move to secure access to critical minerals. China, meanwhile, funds large-scale projects to strengthen it control over supply chains. This Competition underscores Africa’s role as a resource battleground.
The Lobito Corridor enable the extraction and export of vast natural resources, including copper. Found in Zambia and the DRC. Copper is critical for wiring and renewable energy. The DRC has 70% of the world’s supply of coltan used in cellphones and laptops. It is also the world’s largest producer of Cobalt, essential for lithium-ion batteries. Angola, a top oil producer, may see an increase in exports through the Corridor. The DRC and Zambia have significant gold reserves. Angola is among the world’s top diamond producers. These resources bring little benefit to local economies and come with significant environmental and social costs.
Who Benefits From The Unequal Stakes of the Lobito Corridor?
Despite promises of regional development, the Lobito Corridor largely serves external interests. The foreign consortium operating the railway will reap significant profits, while Angola, the DRC, and Zambia remain locked in an extra five model.
Most resources will be exported as raw materials. Processing Industries, which could generate jobs, remain underdeveloped.
Profits will flow to foreign investors, leaving African governments with modest royalties and taxes.
Mining activities will exacerbate deforestation, water pollution and habitat destruction.
What are the short and long-term Environmental Costs?
The Lobito Corridor poses significant environmental risks. Railway Construction disrupts ecosystems, fragments wildlife habitats, and displaces local communities.
The corridor increases deforestation, soil erosion, and water contamination.
In the long term, it facilitates large-scale mining and resource extraction.
Mining activities lead to environmental degradation, including clearing forests, reducing biodiversity, and contaminating water sources.
What Does History Teach Us?
The Lobito Corridor continues Africa’s historical role as a supplier of raw materials to external markets.
This extractive model, rooted in colonialism, has left African economies dependent on resource export while external powers reap the benefits. For example, the DRC produces over seventy percent of the world’s Cobalt yet the vast majority of its population lives in poverty. Similarly, Zambia is a major copper exporter, but its economy remains vulnerable to global price fluctuations. The corridor risks perpetuation this cycle, prioritizing the global market over local development.
- How do we rethink Development?
- What is the path forward for Africa?
African nations must adopt a model emphasizing local value addition and sustainability. Key strategies include establishing local industries along the Lobito Corridor. Producing batteries in the DRC instead of exporting raw Cobalt.
- Strengthening trade within Africa through AfCFTA.
- Governments must ensure profits are reinvested locally.
- Transparency in resource governance is essential.
- Investing in agriculture, technology and renewable energy will provide stable and Inclusive growth.
The Lobito Corridor is a microcosm of Africa’s broader challenge. Africa must leverage its vast resources for its people, not external power. At the same time, the corridor offers trade opportunities, it currently prioritizes the US, China and Multinational Corporations over Angola, the DRC and Zambia. African nations must rethink their development approach. By prioritizing value addition, regional cooperation, and sustainability. We can transform our natural wealth into prosperity and Independence. The Lobito Corridor must serve as a catalyst for a new era of African sovereignty and self-reliance.