Stretching more than 1,700 km from Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito through the DRC to Zambia, the Lobito Corridor is set to redefine how Africa exports its vast reserves of critical minerals. With the capacity to move up to 1 million tonnes of copper, cobalt, and manganese per year by 2030, it provides a faster, Western-facing route to global markets—helping African producers diversify away from heavy dependence on China.

The concession, valued at $1.6 billion, brings together a powerful coalition: Trafigura (Singapore) and Mota-Engil (Italy) each hold 49.5%, alongside Vecturis (Belgium). Governments of Angola, Zambia, and the DRC are central to the project, backed by international partners including the United States, the European Union, the Africa Finance Corporation, and the African Development Bank. This alignment of state, multilateral, and private capital underscores the corridor’s strategic weight.

Infrastructure is the cornerstone. The modernized railway runs 1,300 km across Angola, linking new exploration zones in the country’s central and eastern provinces to international markets. A proposed 259 km branch line into Zambia promises to integrate more Copperbelt production into the network. At Lobito, the port’s deepwater quay—14.7 m depth, 1,200 m length, and 12,000 TEU container capacity—provides world-class export capability.

The corridor also threads through some of the world’s most significant mining assets. The Kamoa–Kakula complex (DRC), Konkola Copper Mines (Zambia), and Lumwana (Zambia) are just a few of the globally significant projects positioned to benefit. With operators ranging from Ivanhoe Mines (Canada) and Barrick Gold (Canada) to Vedanta Resources (India/UK) and First Quantum Minerals (Canada), the Lobito line connects a truly international mining community.

Crucially, the Lobito Corridor is being developed as more than just a transport route. By prioritising equitable partnerships, transparency, and sustainable practices, it is reshaping how critical minerals are brought to market. New rail access is already catalysing exploration across underdeveloped provinces, while collaboration with the US, EU, and African governments is embedding higher environmental and governance standards into the value chain.

In linking Africa’s resources with Western markets, the Lobito Corridor is more than infrastructure—it is a catalyst for a new era of diversified trade, responsible growth, and shared prosperity.