An old railroad is key to U.S.-China race for critical metals in Africa
The Lobito Railway in Central Africa has become a focal point in the U.S.-China competition for access to critical minerals like cobalt, copper, and lithium from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While the U.S. has promoted the Lobito Corridor as a strategy to reduce Chinese dominance in mineral supply chains, China had already invested $1.83 billion to rebuild the railway and established early shipping operations. The project highlights broader geopolitical and economic struggles over infrastructure and resource control in Africa.
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EV Revolution An old railroad is key to U.S.-China race for critical metals in Africa Washington is trying to use the Lobito Railway in Congo to break China’s hold on critical metals in Africa, writes Nicholas Niarchos in his new book, The Elements of Power. Paul Popper/Getty Images Paul Popper/Getty Images By Nicolas Niarchos 30 April 2026 The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of Africa’s wealthiest countries even as its people are some of the world’s poorest. It is rich in cobalt, lithium and copper, key materials for the energy transition. Copper is used in electrical wires, and cobalt and lithium are key components in the batteries that keep electric vehicles and cell phones powered.
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