Just some background on Lobito.
This is essentially a western initiative and is / will be controlled by the west in order to facilitate mineral exports to the US & EU.
NB Parts are already operating and shipments of copper were made from Lobito in August 2024
There are loads more artiles, so DYOR:
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- Connecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Angola to Global Markets through the Lobito Corridor
Connecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Angola to Global Markets through the Lobito Corridor
The Lobito Corridor connects the Southern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), northwestern Zambia and Angola to regional and global trade markets via the port of Lobito.
The Lobito Corridor is the first strategic economic corridor launched under the flagship G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), in May 2023. In the margins of the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, the EU and the US released a Joint Statement, teaming up to support the development of the Corridor.
The Lobito Corridor will unlock the enormous potential of the region, enhance export possibilities for Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia, and create added value and jobs through investments and soft measures.
Background
Announced through a EU-US Joint Statement in the margins of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) event at the G20 in India in September 2023, the Lobito Corridor is a key priority under the G7’s PGII.
The EU and the US are co-leading the support for the Corridor's development, including infrastructure investments, soft measures for trade and transit facilitation, investments in related sectors to foster sustainable and inclusive growth and capital investments (agriculture value chains, energy, transport/logistics, technical and vocational education and training) along the Corridor in Angola, DRC and Zambia.
During the Global Gateway Forum in October 2023, the EU and the US signed - together with Angola, DRC, Zambia, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) - a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to define the roles and objectives for the Corridor’s expansion.
Scope and objectives
In January 2023, the Ministers responsible for Transport and Corridor Development from Angola, DRC and Zambia, with support and coordination of the Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), signed the Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (LCTTFA) Agreement. The LCTTFA Agreement aims to provide an effective and efficient route that facilitates the transportation of goods within territories between the three Corridor Member States, through:
- harmonisation of policies, laws and regulations;
- coordinated joint corridor infrastructure development strategies and activities;
- dissemination of traffic data and business information; and
- implementation of trade facilitation instruments.
The goal is to support greater participation of SMEs in business value chains, mainly in agriculture and mining, with the view of increasing trade and economic growth along the Lobito Corridor and across the SADC Region.
Results
Once transport infrastructure connecting all three countries is fully operational, the line will enhance export possibilities for Zambia, DRC and Angola, boost the regional circulation of goods and promote the mobility of citizens. By significantly reducing the average transport time, the Corridor will lower the logistics costs and carbon footprint for exporting metals, agricultural goods, and other products as well as for future development of any mineral discoveries.
Key information
Implementing organisations: Team Europe +, AfDB, AFC and US
Partners: The European Commission, the Government of the United States of America, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the Government of the Republic of Angola, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).
Funding instrument: NDICI
Related document
Fyi, Speaking of Lobito and it's Corridor, I see where
World Bank Announces $300 Million Project for the Lobito Corridor
The World Bank is preparing a $300 million project for the Lobito Corridor, according to Victoria Kwakwa, the institution’s Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa.
She emphasized that participating countries must create favorable conditions for foreign investment.
“The three countries involved must also focus on improving connectivity.
Each must establish conditions to boost trade, address regulatory barriers, and develop infrastructure that enhances regional connectivity.
This will enable the region to become a hub of commerce and development,” Kwakwa stated, as reported by Lusa.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the project, Kwakwa underscored the need for Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia to collaborate closely and implement policies that support development while fostering trade and essential infrastructure.
The World Bank also announced plans for a job creation initiative targeting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
This $300 million program aims to support around 12,000 businesses operating along this economic and rail corridor, which stretches from the Port of Lobito through the DRC to northern Zambia.
copperbeltkatangamining
Biden’s First Visit to Angola to Strengthen U.S. Ties with Sub-Saharan Africa
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden is making a historic visit to Angola, fulfilling a pledge to strengthen U.S. ties with sub-Saharan Africa as competition with China intensifies.
Biden, the first U.S. president to visit Angola since its independence in 1975, will spend three days in Luanda, from Monday to Wednesday, discussing economic, political, and cultural partnerships.
The visit honors a promise Biden made in 2022 to engage more closely with Africa. Originally scheduled for October, the trip was delayed due to Hurricane Milton’s landfall in Florida.
Despite his “lame-duck” status, Biden’s visit aims to underscore U.S. influence and investment in Africa.
“This is not too little, too late,” said a senior U.S. official. “President Biden has worked to put the U.S. back on the field after years of limited engagement.”
Focus on the Lobito Corridor
Central to Biden’s agenda is the
Lobito Corridor, an 800-mile (1,300-kilometer) rail project connecting Angola’s Lobito port with key mining regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.
The U.S. and European Union-funded project is the largest U.S. rail investment in Africa, linking cobalt and copper mines critical for tech manufacturing.
Biden will also meet with Angolan President João Lourenço to discuss public health, agriculture, military cooperation, and cultural preservation.
Human rights organizations have called on Biden to address Angola’s rights record, citing reports of police violence against protesters and the prolonged detention of government critics.
Amnesty International has urged the U.S. president to demand reforms during his visit.
“President Biden has consistently demonstrated his commitment to democracy,” the senior U.S. official noted, suggesting that human rights discussions will feature prominently during bilateral talks.
U.S.-China Rivalry
Biden’s visit also seeks to counter China’s influence in Africa.
Angola owes China $17 billion, roughly 40% of its total debt, raising concerns about the long-term impact of Chinese loans.
“African governments are increasingly seeking alternatives to Chinese investment, especially when it results in generational debt,” said the U.S. official.
President Lourenço has signaled interest in diversifying Angola’s partnerships, including voting in favor of a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
For Lourenço, Biden’s visit symbolizes a diplomatic milestone as Angola looks to expand its global partnerships.
“It fulfills a long-held dream of hosting the first American president,” said Cesaltina Abreu, a sociologist at the Catholic University of Angola.
However, questions remain about the continuity of U.S.-Africa engagement under the incoming Trump administration. Analysts warn that a lack of focus on Africa could erode the progress made during Biden’s term.
“Angola, and countries like it, have many partners to choose from in a world increasingly competing for access to Africa’s vital resources,” said Alex Vines of Chatham House.
Biden’s visit underscores the importance of Angola as a strategic partner in Africa, reflecting broader efforts to strengthen U.S. ties across the continent amid rising global competition.
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