Lot Ndamanomhata
The Lobito Corridor, an ambitious trans-African project, is reshaping the geopolitics of Southern Africa. Spanning Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the corridor connects mineral-rich regions to the Atlantic Ocean, facilitating the export of critical resources such as copper and cobalt. These materials are vital for renewable energy and green technology, and the project’s backing by the U.S. and its allies underscores its global significance. However, the corridor has sparked concerns about sovereignty, resource exploitation, and geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.
The Corridor: A strategic gateway
The Lobito Corridor links the DRC’s Katanga region with the Angolan port of Lobito through Zambia. Aimed at accelerating regional economic integration, the project is funded under the U.S.-led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and aligned with the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy (European Commission, n.d.; U.S. White House, 2024).
This initiative is particularly vital for reducing the dependency on existing trade routes through South Africa, shortening transit times, and opening alternative access to global markets (Lobito Corridor Organization, n.d.). However, the involvement of Western powers has raised questions about whether the project prioritises regional development or serves external strategic interests.
U.S. influence and Biden’s visit
In December 2024, President Joe Biden visited Angola to celebrate the corridor’s progress and announce a $560 million investment boost (African Business, 2024). His visit marked the culmination of U.S. efforts to counter China’s influence in Africa, symbolised by Beijing’s extensive funding of infrastructure under its Belt and Road Initiative (VOA News, 2024).
The U.S. portrays the Lobito Corridor as an example of equitable public-private partnership (PPP), contrasting it with what it frames as exploitative Chinese practices. Yet, critics argue the U.S. is no less self-serving. The corridor gives the West direct access to DRC’s rich mineral reserves, fuelling allegations that Zambia and Angola are aiding in the DRC’s resource exploitation (U.S. Institute of Peace [USIP], 2024).
Resource exploitation and regional concerns
The DRC holds more than 60% of the world’s cobalt reserves, critical for batteries used in electric vehicles and renewable energy (Lobito Corridor Organization, n.d.). While the Lobito Corridor promises economic benefits for the DRC, critics view it as another chapter in the country’s long history of resource plundering. Zambia, under President Hakainde Hichilema, has been accused of aligning with U.S. interests to secure access to DRC minerals, sidelining Congolese sovereignty (USIP, 2024).
This situation mirrors historical U.S. interventions in the DRC, from supporting Mobutu Sese Seko during the Cold War to alleged covert actions aimed at destabilising the country to ensure resource access (African Business, 2024). These accusations raise alarms about whether the corridor represents genuine development or modern-day neo-colonialism.
Regional instability and marginalisation
The Lobito Corridor risks disrupting existing regional trade dynamics. Namibia’s Trans-Caprivi Highway, for instance, faces potential obsolescence as Angola and Zambia monopolise transport routes for the region’s minerals (VOA News, 2024). This concentration of infrastructure in Angola could deepen economic disparities within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Furthermore, the corridor’s alignment with U.S. and European interests highlights the growing entanglement of African states in global power struggles. Angola, Zambia, and the DRC find themselves caught between the U.S. and China, raising concerns about whether such projects truly serve African interests or external agendas (African Business, 2024; European Commission, n.d.).
Hypocrisy in African Leadership
The corridor exemplifies a recurring pattern in African geopolitics: nations prioritising bilateral gains at the expense of collective regional development. Angola and Zambia’s cooperation with Western powers has been criticised for undermining the DRC’s autonomy. This reflects a broader trend where African leaders often trade national sovereignty for foreign investments, even when it risks destabilising neighbours (USIP, 2024).
Conclusion
The Lobito Corridor represents both opportunity and challenge for Southern Africa. While it could boost regional economies and advance Africa’s global integration, its potential to marginalise certain nations, perpetuate resource exploitation, and entrench foreign influence cannot be ignored. For African states, the corridor underscores the urgency of developing a unified strategy that prioritises regional sovereignty and equitable development over external alliances.
As the U.S. and China vie for dominance in Africa, the Lobito Corridor is a stark reminder of the continent’s precarious position in global geopolitics. Whether the project becomes a catalyst for regional prosperity or another avenue for exploitation will depend on how African leaders navigate these competing interests.
Lot Ndamanomhata is a graduate of Public Management, Journalism and Communication. This article reflects his views and writes entirely in his personal capacity.
