Stretching 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) from Angola’s Port of Lobito, through Zambia, and into the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Lobito Corridor railway project has ignited mixed reactions.

Lauded for its potential to boost regional trade and create jobs, it has also drawn criticism over fears of neo-colonial exploitation of Africa’s natural resources.

The corridor connects the DRC’s key mining provinces — Tanganyika, Haut-Lomami, Lualaba, and Haut-Katanga — home to some of the world’s largest cobalt and copper reserves. These critical minerals are essential for technologies like electric vehicles, making the region a focal point for international attention.

During a December visit to Angola, U.S. President Joe Biden met with African leaders to discuss the Lobito project. The initiative seeks to link the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, enabling faster access to Africa’s minerals for U.S. and European markets.

For many in the DRC, the Lobito Corridor represents an opportunity for economic growth and improved livelihoods. President Félix Tshisekedi has championed the project, highlighting its potential to create approximately 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Speaking in Benguela, Angola, alongside Biden and other African leaders, Tshisekedi described the development as “a unique opportunity for regional integration, economic transformation, and to improve the living conditions of our fellow citizens.”

Residents like Claude Banza from Kolwezi in Lualaba province are optimistic. “This Lobito project is a lifesaver for us,” he said, expressing hope that new infrastructure will bring jobs and economic opportunities to a region long plagued by poverty.

Banza’s optimism is shared by others who view the project as a much-needed trade hub for African countries. “As the president has said that many jobs will be created, we hope to have the means to face the challenges of life,” he added.

Lobito railway — The Lobito Atlantic Railway project

Concerns Of Exploitation

However, not all Congolese share this enthusiasm. Critics warn that the project risks perpetuating a history of resource exploitation. Economic analyst Dady Saleh described it as “an organised sell-off of the region’s natural resources in a capitalist system.” He lamented that countries involved in the project may see limited benefits, with local populations receiving only “crumbs.”

Saleh’s critique underscores broader fears that the Lobito Corridor could open the door for what he calls “modern plunderers,” leaving the DRC as little more than a supplier of raw materials with minimal economic returns.

Mining industry workers like Souverain Kabika echo these concerns. Living in Haut-Katanga province, Kabika works as a copper handler on trucks transporting ore to Tanzania’s port of Dar-es-Salaam. With the railway expected to divert transport from roads to rail, Kabika worries about losing his livelihood.

“This project is likely to threaten even the small activities we used to carry out. At one point, I was loading trucks to take goods to Matadi. This Corridor could leave me workless.”
Dady Saleh

The Lobito Corridor represents a complex balance between opportunity and risk. Proponents argue that the project could catalyze regional economic development, connecting countries and improving trade efficiency. Plans for an eastward extension to Tanzania’s Dar-es-Salaam would make it a truly transcontinental route, further boosting its strategic importance.

However, the project also highlights persistent inequities in how Africa’s vast resources are leveraged. Local communities and workers fear being sidelined as international markets benefit from the region’s wealth.

As the railway inches closer to completion, its success will hinge on ensuring that economic gains are equitably distributed. Advocates call for transparency, community involvement, and policies to safeguard local livelihoods. Without these measures, the Lobito Corridor risks becoming another chapter in Africa’s long history of resource extraction benefiting outsiders more than its people.