DRC Highlights Strategic Role of Lobito Corridor at US-Africa Business Summit

At the 17th US-Africa Business Summit, which opened on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Luanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor in its economic transformation ambitions.

Representing President Félix Tshisekedi, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba, emphasized that this rail corridor—linking southern DRC to the Atlantic Ocean via Angola’s port of Lobito—provides “a direct and vital access” to global markets.

This statement reflects a significant geoeconomic reality: as a landlocked country reliant on saturated or unstable transport routes, the DRC views the Lobito Corridor as a critical opportunity to secure and streamline its exports, especially copper and cobalt, which account for nearly 80% of its export revenues.

Several analysts describe the Lobito Corridor as more than just transport infrastructure—it is a key instrument of economic sovereignty.

“It offers a genuine alternative to routes through southern Africa or Tanzania, which are often costly and prone to disruptions,” explained an expert from Afritrends.

For investors and logistics partners, the project provides a more reliable and predictable framework, underpinned by a trilateral partnership between the DRC, Angola, and Zambia, with strong support from the United States and the European Union.

In a global context defined by the energy transition and a race for critical metals, the DRC is positioning itself with a logistics corridor that complements its rich mining potential.

However, governance, maintenance, and security challenges remain to be addressed to ensure the Lobito Corridor becomes a true catalyst for sustainable development.