West and East Meets in Africa Mining
Lobito Corridor and the struggle for power, resources, and influence on the African continent
Through the prisms of the international media of the Western World, Africa was only and continuously analyzed and assessed in terms of space of rivalry between the East and the West and the Far East and the Far West. In this presentation, we address the resulting intricated interests and struggle for dominance played between the Western nations and China through the analysis of the case study of the Lobito Corridor that crosses and connects countries and their infrastructures in Africa while widening the gap within the World Economy and dividing it into two major blocs:
The U.S. Partnerning of the European Union on one side faces China on the other side.
Africa was then approached as the hidden space where duels took place behind the curtain of political ideologies and economic models of development. To further expose the potential distortion of the democratic model taking place through elections, the major metropolitical analysts and metropolitan mediatic news outlets focused on denunciation of the infiltration of Russian militias and interests in Central African and Sahel countries where French colonialism had never cut its ties with its past presence in these countries.
Russia’s presence in these regions was then presented as the bridge to authoritarian-bureaucratic-military regimes through the removal of elected civilian presidents and governments. In this perspective, Russia was not presented as a contributor to the development of the security of Libya, the Central African countries, or even Somalia. More recently, the Wagner Group’s change of name was decried by the same reporters as the new link to the past presence of Afrika Korps created by Hitler to sustain the Italian campaign in North Africa with its head under the command of Rommel. The second aspect of such a campaign of denunciation of the Russians in Africa is the explanation advanced that they are extending their control of the gold and diamond mining operations. Like if all the European countries that have ruled African territories came to Africa just to offer flowers to its local and regional populations.
Besides Turkey not considered a big threat to Western interests in Africa, China on the other side is presented as the “financial trap of Africa” and accused of luring African countries into “debt default cascades” to control their mining and natural resources while building an infrastructure that favored the logistics for the exports of much-needed resources for China economy. The other parallel decried presence of China in Africa is the Road and Belt Initiative which is also defined as the “Chinese Version of the Trojan Horse” strategy.
Now Africa is placed between the Militaristic Russian Endoctrinment and the financial trade Smooth positioning of China within the most critically sought-after natural resources by the Western economies that span from oil to cobalt.
Within this tumult of accusations and denunciations, Africa remains hostage to its past and encroachment on Liberal doctrines of development that were encouraged by international financiers as the keys to opening the Gate of Free Trade and Free Enterprise. The external debt with conditionalities was presented as also the password to open the Pandora Box where these keys were stored.
In 2022, 600 million people in Africa, or 43% of the continent, lacked access to electricity. Africa is home to 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, 40% of the world’s gold, and the largest cobalt, diamonds, platinum, and uranium reserves. However, Africa is still one of the world’s poorest continents.
Africa Between the West and the East Sitting at Two Chairs at the Same Time?
In 15 resource-intensive sub-Saharan African countries, mining contributes about 10% to GDP. In most of these countries, mining exports represent 50% of total exports, so many of the mineral-rich economies of Africa risk continuing to be dependent on mining. Mining has also led to the development of urban centers, such as Tororo, Kasese, Mombasa, and Kakamega.
In South Africa, mining accounts for up to 60% of exports. The country’s mining sector contributes about 8% to the gross domestic product.
Africa has a large amount of mineral reserves, including:
Metals: Gold, diamond, cobalt, bauxite, iron ore, coal, and copper
Green minerals: Lithium, manganese, nickel, and graphite
Oil and natural gas: 8% and 7% of the world’s reserves, respectively
Some of the major mining countries in Africa include the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
In 2022, Africa accounted for less than 10% of global mining exploration spending and less than 5% of the sector’s global revenue. However, the need to secure new sources amid sanctions on Russia has increased the risk appetite for major miners. With demand for copper and cobalt minerals rising with the growth of green energy, the Copper Belt region straddling Zambia and DRC has gained global recognition.
Lobito Corridor
Lobito Corridor Overview:
The Lobito Corridor is a critical infrastructure project from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the Atlantic Ocean.
It facilitates trade and connectivity by providing a direct route from the DRC to the Angolan port city of Lobito.
The corridor aims to enhance the regional circulation of goods and promote mobility for citizens.
Economic Benefits:
Once fully operational, the corridor will enhance export possibilities for Zambia, Angola, and the DRC.
It will reduce logistics costs and the carbon footprint associated with exporting metals, agricultural goods, and other products.
Investments in digital access and agricultural value chains will increase regional competitiveness.
Immediate Next Steps:
Pre-feasibility studies will be conducted for the construction of the new Zambia-Lobito railway line from eastern Angola through northern Zambia.
This builds upon the initial U.S.-led support to refurbish the existing railway section from the Lobito port in Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Lobito Corridor has become a focal point in the geopolitical and economic competition between the West and China in Africa.
Lobito Corridor vs. TAZARA (Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority):
The United States and the European Union are keen on constructing a 1,300-kilometer railway from the Port of Lobito in Angola to the border town of Lua, with an additional 400 kilometers extending into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the mining town of Kolwezi.
Meanwhile, China has plans to rehabilitate the TAZARA, which connects Tanzania and Zambia.
These competing rail projects signify the start of President Joe Biden’s strategic competition with China on African soil.
The New Great Game in Africa:
The Lobito Corridor serves as the battleground where the US and China vie for influence and control.
In this high-stakes game, the Lobito Corridor and TAZARA represent more than mere railways—they symbolize the struggle for power, resources, and influence on the African continent.
Geopolitical Rivalry and Critical Raw Materials (CRM):
These multi-billion-dollar railway investments are not purely benevolent gestures. Instead, they reflect the geopolitical and economic rivalry between major powers.
Both the West (represented by the US and the EU) and China are vying for access to critical raw materials (such as minerals) found in Africa.
The West aims to use the Lobito Corridor to transport strategic minerals from the DRC and Zambia to the US and the EU, while China focuses on TAZARA.
China’s TAZARA Proposal:
Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA):
The TAZARA railway, originally funded by Mao Zedong’s government in the 1970s, connects Tanzania and Zambia.
China has proposed a $1 billion investment in rehabilitating the TAZARA under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is negotiating the concession to operate the railway line.
The revitalization of TAZARA is seen as an important project for freedom and peace in the new era, according to the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia.
China’s involvement in revitalizing TAZARA signifies its continued interest in African infrastructure development and resource access.
United States and European Union, their Path of Alliance at Lobito Corridor
Lobito Corridor and the West’s Interests:
The Lobito Corridor is strategically positioned to link the Atlantic coast to the mineral-rich regions of central Africa.
U.S.- EU Partnership:
The United States and the European Union have joined forces to support the Lobito Corridor’s development. They are actively involved in constructing the 1,300 km railway that stretches from the Port of Lobito in Angola to the border town of Lua, with an additional 400 km extension to the mining town of Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The U.S. and the EU are launching feasibility studies for a new greenfield rail line expansion between Zambia and Angola.
This collaborative approach demonstrates the power of international partnerships in infrastructure development.
Washington is supporting the Lobito corridor, a $2.3 billion plan to upgrade an existing line that runs to the Atlantic port of Lobito from the Democratic Republic of Congo and build about 800 kilometers (500 miles) of new track into Zambia
In collaboration with the European Union, Washington is actively supporting the development of the Lobito Corridor. This transformative economic corridor aims to connect the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo and northwestern Zambia to regional and global trade markets via the Port of Lobito in Angola.
By linking the Copper Belt to the Atlantic Ocean, the West aims to maintain a stake in the global value chain for critical energy transition minerals.
The West’s support for the Lobito Corridor is interpreted as a geopolitical move.
Safeguarding African Interests:
These multi-billion-dollar investments are not benevolent; they serve the West’s interests in securing access to vital resources.
African countries involved in these projects must negotiate watertight agreements to protect their interests.
While the infrastructure development benefits the region, it’s essential to recognize that both power blocs are pursuing their strategic goals.
Challenges and Mitigation: Environmental and social impacts must be managed carefully. Sustainable practices and community engagement are crucial.
Revenue transparency and governance are essential to prevent resource curse.
Citizens of African countries should ensure watertight agreements to safeguard their interests, as both power blocks pursue their own goals.
The Lobito Corridor and TAZARA represent not only infrastructure advancements but also geopolitical maneuvering in the quest for critical resources.
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Contact author: saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com