The Lobito corridor: A catalyst for international Cooperation, regional Growth, and sustainable supply chain development

Abstract In the context of the global green transition, ensuring resilient and sustainable supply chains for critical raw materials (CRMs) has become a strategic priority. While this shift offers new opportunities, it also reveals significant vulnerabilities, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where abundant resources often coexist with fragile infrastructure and governance systems. This study focuses on the Lobito Corridor, a critical route linking Central Africa’s mining hub to Angola’s Atlantic seaboard, as a key axis for CRM supply, proposing an integrated framework for assessing geopolitical and institutional risks. The findings highlight the importance of empowering resource-rich countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, through coordinated investments in infrastructure, capacity building and transparent governance. By positioning these countries as active participants rather than passive exporters, CRM value chains can achieve greater equity and resilience. The study also promotes data-driven policy-making and a shift from linear to circular industrial models, aligning environmental goals with the social and economic priorities of local communities. Ultimately, this approach strengthens regional integration and long-term sustainability, offering a global perspective that considers Africa as a whole, with implications extending beyond the continent to the Euro-Mediterranean region.