What is Lobito railway project? Biden’s counter to China’s Belt and Roads initiative. Will Trump support it? – Times of India

The Lobito Corridor, a railway project connecting Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia, is emerging as a cornerstone of US engagement in Africa under President Joe Biden. The initiative, seen as a response to China’s Belt and Road strategy, aims to strengthen regional trade and provide a crucial link between Africa’s mineral-rich heartlands and global markets.
Established in the early 1900s, the Lobito Corridor initially thrived as a key transportation route for minerals and goods. However, its operations were heavily disrupted during Angola’s civil war, leaving it underutilised for decades. A $2 billion rehabilitation effort, led by China, revitalised the Benguela Railway and extended the Lobito Port, creating the foundation for its current significance.

The corridor spans 800 miles, linking the DRC’s Katanga region, Zambia’s Copperbelt, and Angola’s oil fields. By providing access to the Atlantic Ocean, it offers a shorter and more cost-effective route to markets in Europe and the Americas. In 2023, the first copper shipments via the Lobito Corridor underscored its logistical advantages, reducing transportation distances by two-thirds compared to traditional road routes.

First-of-its kind project: Biden

During a meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço in 2023, President Biden emphasised the Lobito Corridor’s transformative potential. “Together, we’ll be mobilising more than $1 billion for railway lines extending from Angola to Zambia and the DRC, ultimately connecting the continent from east to west,” Biden remarked. He described the project as the largest US rail investment in Africa to date, aiming to foster economic growth, create jobs, and reduce dependence on China.
“This first-of-its kind project is the biggest US rail investment in Africa ever, one that’s going to create jobs and connect markets for generations to come,” Biden said.
Biden also highlighted additional investments, including nearly $1 billion in solar energy projects to help Angola achieve 75% clean energy by 2025 and agricultural infrastructure aimed at making the country a net food exporter by 2027.

Countering China’s dominance

The Lobito Corridor represents a shift in US strategy towards Africa, focusing on infrastructure rather than traditional aid. It directly competes with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has heavily influenced Africa’s development through state-led investments in infrastructure.
Critics, however, note that the corridor’s current emphasis on raw material exports may limit its economic benefits for local communities. Experts like Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area, stress that access to a modern, efficiently run port is “absolutely critical” for regional economies, offering new opportunities for growth.
He told CNN that it provides them (Zambia and DRC) with access to a well-managed port, allowing them to reach both global and regional markets.

Will Trump support the project?

The Lobito Corridor’s future remains uncertain as the US approaches a potential change in leadership. While Biden has championed the project as a flagship initiative of the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, analysts suggest it could align with Donald Trump’s priorities. Christian-Geraud Neema, an expert on China-Africa relations, observed that labelling the project as an anti-China tool increases its chances of bipartisan support.
Trump, who prioritises countering China’s influence, may find the project consistent with his broader vision. However, his focus on domestic issues and scepticism towards foreign aid could pose challenges to sustained funding, news agency AP reported.