LOBITO, Angola — U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent visit to Lobito, Angola, to promote the ambitious Lobito Corridor railway project has ignited both hopes and skepticism about its potential impact on the region’s economy. The project, which aims to connect Angola’s Atlantic coast to key mining hubs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, is being pitched to reduce Africa’s reliance on Chinese investments in critical minerals. However, analysts and local civil society groups have raised serious concerns about whether the project will benefit the local population or serve foreign interests.
The Lobito Corridor project seeks to create a vital trade and transportation route linking Angola’s port city of Lobito to the mineral-rich regions of the DRC and Zambia. Both countries are crucial cobalt, copper, and other strategic minerals suppliers. Global industries highly demand these minerals, particularly electric vehicles and renewable energy. China has long been a dominant player in extracting and processing these resources across Africa.
While the project is being touted as a countermeasure to China’s growing influence in the region, experts argue that its promises to boost the local economy remain unsubstantiated. Civil society groups, many of whom have voiced skepticism over previous large-scale infrastructure projects, worry that the Lobito Corridor may benefit multinational companies rather than local communities.
“I don’t see how this will help us,” said Maria dos Santos, a local labor rights activist in Lobito. “We’ve seen similar projects in the past that promised jobs and development, but they mostly brought in foreign workers and didn’t address our community’s needs.”
One key concern is whether the project will create meaningful employment opportunities for the people of Angola and neighboring countries. While the railway construction may provide short-term jobs, many question the long-term sustainability of the project and its ability to stimulate local industries.
Additionally, there are fears that the railway, designed primarily for transporting minerals, might prioritize international trade over local commerce. Focusing on connecting mining regions to international markets, critics argue that the project could bypass local economies, leaving behind underdeveloped communities.
The question of ownership and management is also a point of contention. While the U.S. government has shown strong support for the project, with Biden himself championing it as a sign of America’s commitment to African infrastructure, the role of private companies, particularly those with ties to foreign governments, remains unclear. Local NGOs have raised concerns about transparency in the project’s development and whether international corporations will dominate it without adequate local input.
Despite these concerns, some experts argue that the Lobito Corridor could boost economic integration within southern Africa if appropriately managed. “If done right, the Lobito Corridor could be a game-changer for regional trade,” said Dr. Samuel Okwu, an economist based in Johannesburg. “It could help Angola become a more central player in African trade networks, benefiting not only mining exports but also facilitating broader economic growth.”
The project also comes when Africa seeks to reposition itself in the global supply chain, particularly considering the ongoing demand for minerals critical to the energy transition. The Lobito Corridor could give African countries more leverage in negotiating deals that benefit their economies by offering an alternative to the Chinese-dominated Belt and Road Initiative. However, these benefits are contingent on ensuring that the interests of local communities are prioritized in the project’s execution.
As the Lobito Corridor project moves forward, its ultimate success will depend on the ability of Angola, the DRC, Zambia, and their international partners to balance infrastructure development with genuine efforts to improve the livelihoods of local populations. Whether this ambitious railway will live up to its promises or fall short like previous mega-projects in Africa remains to be seen. For now, civil society in the region is watching closely, wary of history repeating itself.
