US Counters China in Africa With Huge Rail Project

Scientific analysis has established that conflict-wracked Democratic Republic of Congo is the richest country in the world in terms of natural resources.

Trucks loaded with copper prepare to leave Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on June 17, 2023. Emmet Livingstone/AFP via Getty Images

In 2024, the U.S. government will fire the first salvo in its efforts to counter China’s influence in Africa when construction begins on the Lobito Corridor project, which is expected to loosen Beijing’s hold on some of the continent’s most important minerals.

The eventual 1,000-mile railway will span Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and northwestern Zambia.