The United States government and the European Commission issued a joint statement last week Thursday reaffirming their commitment to strengthening peace, stability, and economic development in Africa’s Great Lakes region, with a major focus on advancing the ambitious Lobito Corridor infrastructure project.
The declaration underscores growing transatlantic alignment on boosting investment in Central Africa, where both Washington and Brussels see economic growth as essential to long-term regional stability. Central to that vision is the Lobito Corridor—a strategic rail and infrastructure network designed to connect the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito.
Officials said the project will enhance regional trade, improve access to critical mineral supply chains, and expand economic ties between Central Africa, the United States, and Europe.
According to the statement, the U.S. and EU are working closely with African partners and private sector leaders to modernise and rehabilitate the corridor. They acknowledged recent private-sector talks with the DRC government on potential investments in the Congolese segment of the route, calling these developments a positive step.
Both parties also signaled readiness to explore ways to finance proposals that align with ongoing upgrades on the Angolan side, emphasizing the importance of synchronisation to maximise efficiency and impact.
The statement concludes with a pledge from both the U.S. and European Commission to remain “fully aligned and coordinated” in support of the corridor’s success—highlighting its potential to improve transparency in supply chains and draw sustained investment to the region.
