Mineral Corridor Rivalry in Africa: US, China, and EU Strategies
The competition for control over Africa's mineral corridors involves significant investments from the US, China, and the EU. This battle focuses on securing access to critical resources essential for energy transition, affecting global supply chains and industrial strategies.
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The US is investing in the Lobito corridor, a $2.3 billion project aimed at connecting Angola's Lobito port to mineral-rich regions in the DRC and Zambia. This corridor will enhance transport efficiency, reducing the current transport time by 30% and increasing capacity for critical minerals like copper and cobalt.
Meanwhile, China is modernizing the Tazara corridor to maintain its influence and supply chain control in the region, investing $1.4 billion to enhance its capacity from 400,000 to nearly 2.4 million tons per year. Both corridors highlight the strategic importance of Africa's mineral resources, as the DRC provides significant portions of global cobalt and copper production.
The competition also extends to Guinea, where the Liberty Corridor aims to challenge China's dominance in iron ore exports. As these powers vie for control, the impact on local economies and governance remains a critical concern.
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