US and G7 Partners to Build Transcontinental African Rail Line
The United States, along with its G7 partners, is supporting the development of the Lobito Atlantic Railway Corridor, a project aimed at enhancing national infrastructure and improving the transportation of mined metals in Africa.
The rail line, once completed, will connect four African countries and create a route between the Atlantic and Indian oceans. President Joe Biden first announced the US plans to invest $250 million in the project during the 2023 G7 Summit.
The rail line will start from Lobito Port in Angola, pass through Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with future expansions planned to reach Tanzania. The project is part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), an initiative led by the G7 nations.
During the recent 2024 G7 Summit in Fasano, Italy, Biden highlighted the progress made on the PGI economic corridors. Italy committed $320 million to finance an 800-kilometer greenfield rail section, while the United Kingdom agreed to contribute funds for geological surveying along the corridor. The United States has also accelerated support for the development of the Lobito Economic Corridor.
The completion of the rail line is expected to enable additional investments in agribusiness, digital infrastructure, and expanded access to clean power. Furthermore, the corridor will redirect mine products, such as metals critical for electric vehicle battery production and wind turbines, to a port in Angola, reducing export expenses and improving resource efficiency.
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