The president of the ExpoBéton RDC organizing committee, Jean Bamanisa Saidi, is intensifying his efforts to make the 9th edition of ExpoBéton a key event for economic development in Africa. During his recent meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, Her Excellency Ms. Lucy Tamlyn, and Mr. John Dunlop, the USAID Country Director, in a 2.5-hour meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, he advocated for active participation from American companies and institutions in the event. Scheduled to take place in Lubumbashi from March 12 to 15, 2025, this edition will focus on the theme: “Southern Corridors of the DRC-SADC: Projects to Develop and Business Opportunities.”
This theme is set against a backdrop where transport corridors, including the Lobito Corridor, are gaining strategic importance for economic exchanges, regional development, and the global energy transition.
The Southern Corridors of the DRC: A Lever for Regional Economic Integration
The southern corridors, including the Lobito Corridor, are crucial infrastructures connecting the DRC’s resource-rich mining regions to international markets. These routes enable the efficient transport of strategic resources such as copper and cobalt, which are essential to the global economy.
The Lobito Corridor, spanning 1,739 kilometers, links the port of Lobito in Angola to the mining areas of the DRC and Zambia. Currently, it has an annual transport capacity of 1.7 million tons, which could increase to 5 million tons by 2030 with planned modernization investments.
Why the U.S. is Investing in the Lobito Corridor
Amid the global energy transition, the U.S. aims to secure stable access to strategic minerals. The DRC, which holds about 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves and 10% of its copper, is an essential region to support this transition.
The Lobito Corridor provides the U.S. with a reliable logistical alternative, reducing its reliance on routes controlled by powers such as China. In August 2023, a consortium including American companies announced a $300 million investment to modernize the corridor, including railway improvements and optimization of port infrastructure.
ExpoBéton: A Platform for International Opportunities
ExpoBéton, an annual gathering of major players in infrastructure, energy, and trade, serves as a strategic platform for the DRC and its international partners.
In 2024, the event welcomed over 5,000 participants, including 200 international exhibitors, leading to significant contracts. For 2025, the objectives are ambitious: 5,000 visitors and 250 exhibitors.
The U.S. Ambassador highlighted American companies’ interest in this edition, particularly in sectors such as:
- Transport Infrastructure: Railway development and port modernization.
- Renewable Energy: The DRC’s hydroelectric potential of 100,000 MW offers immense opportunities for collaboration.
- Mining and Technology: Sustainable development of value chains for strategic minerals remains a priority.
Challenges and Opportunities for the DRC and SADC
With corridors like Lobito, the DRC plays a pivotal role in the economic integration of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). These infrastructures facilitate intra-African trade, supported by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost regional trade by 52% by 2030.
Optimizing the southern corridors could reduce logistical costs by 30% to 40%, increasing the competitiveness of DRC products in international markets.
The U.S. and Economic Partnerships with the DRC
The U.S. strategy for Africa, reaffirmed during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022, emphasizes fair trade and technological partnerships. The Lobito Corridor aligns perfectly with this vision. By actively participating in ExpoBéton, the U.S. could strengthen its position as a key partner in the DRC’s economic development.
Moreover, initiatives like the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) demonstrate the U.S. commitment to investing in high-impact infrastructure projects in Africa. These investments would benefit both American companies and the socio-economic development of the DRC.
Under the leadership of Jean Bamanisa Saidi, the 9th edition of ExpoBéton promises to be a prime platform for forging strategic partnerships between the DRC, the U.S., and other international players. With its focus on the southern corridors, the event will spotlight regional economic opportunities while reinforcing the DRC’s role as a cornerstone of African integration and a vital supplier of resources for the global energy transition.
By attracting partners like the U.S., ExpoBéton 2025 could redefine the economic future of the DRC and the SADC countries.
Editorial Team
