The United States plans to fund a new study to strengthen power infrastructure along the Lobito Corridor, as Washington increases its focus on transport, logistics, and moving critical minerals from Africa to global markets. The study will focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, two key countries connected to the mineral-rich corridor.
The Lobito Corridor is an important transport route linking mining areas in the DRC and Zambia with Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito. The corridor provides an alternative route for moving minerals from Central Africa to international markets. Better rail, road and port connections could help reduce transport times, lower logistics costs and make regional trade more efficient.
However, reliable electricity is also essential to the corridor’s success. Mining operations, railway systems, ports, warehouses and other logistics facilities all depend on a stable power supply. Laura Whitman, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency’s Country Manager for Africa and the Middle East, said the planned study will provide technical and commercial information needed to develop and finance new power infrastructure.
The study will particularly look at electricity needs in the Copperbelt region, where mining companies often require more power than existing networks can provide. Power shortages can affect mining production and, in turn, delay the movement of minerals through the transport network. Local businesses and communities along the corridor can also suffer from unreliable electricity.
The DRC and Zambia are major producers of minerals that are increasingly important to global supply chains. The DRC is the world’s largest supplier of cobalt and is also a major copper producer. These minerals are used in electric vehicles, power grids, renewable energy systems and other technologies.
Efficient transportation of these minerals is therefore becoming a major priority. The Lobito Corridor connects mining areas to the Atlantic coast through Angola, with the Port of Lobito providing access to international shipping routes. Stronger rail and port infrastructure could improve the movement of minerals from mines to export markets.
The United States has been working with Angola, the DRC, Zambia, the European Union and other partners to support infrastructure development along the corridor. The partnerships cover rail, energy and other projects aimed at improving regional trade and supply chains.
USTDA has also been working with African governments and utilities on grid modernisation, transmission upgrades and regional power connections. These efforts could support transport and logistics infrastructure while also improving electricity access for communities along the corridor.
For the Lobito Corridor to become a stronger regional logistics route, investment will need to go beyond railways, roads and ports. Reliable power will be necessary to keep mining, transport and logistics operations running efficiently. The planned USTDA study could therefore help strengthen the wider corridor and improve the movement of critical minerals from Central Africa to international markets.
