U.S. Supports Lobito Corridor Rail Project Linking DRC, Angola, and Zambia to Accelerate Mineral Exports
The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Lobito Corridor—a transformative rail project that will connect the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, and Zambia—in a move aimed at boosting regional trade and unlocking economic opportunities.
Speaking in a recent interview, U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, described the Lobito Corridor as a powerful lever for economic transformation that will benefit both the DRC and the United States.
“We’re in active discussions with the Congolese government to determine the best path forward,” Tamlyn said.
“The goal is to establish a concession model that appeals to the private sector, as this project will be funded directly through private investment, not through a traditional government-to-government framework.”
The first phase of the project will focus on rehabilitating existing rail infrastructure, with technical support from the European Union.
The rail line will facilitate the export of valuable minerals—especially cobalt, copper, and lithium—from landlocked areas of the DRC through Zambia to the port of Lobito in Angola.
These minerals are critical to global industrial supply chains, particularly in the renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors.
On June 17, 2025, stakeholders—including representatives from the United States, the European Union, and the DRC—convened in Kinshasa to launch feasibility studies for the corridor.
The meeting was led by Minister of Transport Jean-Pierre Bemba, with participation from financial and technical partners.
The initial findings of the feasibility study are expected in September 2025, with a full report and economic model to follow in October. This model will guide investment and implementation strategies for the corridor.
The project is being developed in close partnership with the European Investment Bank and will engage private investors, particularly European firms that are part of the Lobito Atlantic Railway international consortium.
Once complete, the Lobito Corridor is expected to play a central role in regional integration, economic diversification, and the establishment of more resilient mineral supply chains across Central and Southern Africa.
