Secretary Antony J. Blinken addressed the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment Roundtable on September 24, 2024, focusing on the Lobito Corridor project. The initiative aims to enhance transcontinental connectivity by linking Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Blinken emphasized the collaborative efforts since 2022 among G7 members to finance infrastructure projects globally. "We’ve been bringing together governments, business, financial institutions to pool our resources, to pool our expertise," he stated.
The goal is to develop quality infrastructure such as roads, clean energy systems, and fiber optic cables with high standards of transparency and environmental protections. The United States has mobilized approximately $60 billion over two years for various global projects.
The Lobito Corridor is a significant undertaking aimed at connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. It involves three African countries and partnerships with two G7 members, along with the Africa Finance Corporation and African Development Bank. Italy is expected to join these efforts through its Mattei Plan.
To date, over $4 billion has been committed by the U.S. and its partners for Lobito Corridor projects. These include expanding access to clean energy, internet services, healthcare facilities, and upgrading transportation infrastructure like railways and roads.
Improvements are already evident; shipments that once took up to 45 days now take significantly less time due to new train routes. Regular international shipments now occur weekly, including copper exports essential for clean energy transitions.
In January, Blinken visited Angola and observed firsthand the benefits of these developments. He mentioned investments in solar grids providing affordable energy to over a million people.
Recent announcements included agreements between Angola, Zambia, and the Africa Finance Corporation for further railway development. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will also provide grants exceeding $2 million for environmental assessments.
Tanzania has joined discussions about the Lobito Corridor for the first time. Blinken expressed eagerness about future conversations aimed at expanding this project further under leadership from President Biden and President Lourenço of Angola.
"This is an incredibly positive endeavor," Blinken concluded. "But as I had a chance to see for myself, the possibilities are extraordinary."
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