China Backs $1.2 Billion Rail Route to Secure Africa’s Critical Minerals

China is reviving a historic rail corridor in Africa as part of a strategic push to secure access to critical minerals essential for the global energy transition.

Leading firms including CMOC Group Ltd., Zijin Mining Group Co., and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation are partnering to rehabilitate the aging TAZARA Railway, a 1,860-kilometer route linking Zambia’s copperbelt to the Indian Ocean via Tanzania.

Reviving a Strategic Export Corridor

Originally built more than five decades ago, the TAZARA railway is being repositioned as a key logistics artery for transporting copper and other battery minerals to global markets.

Under the agreement, CCECC will hold an 80% controlling stake in the joint venture operating the railway under a 30-year concession, signaling long-term commitment to the corridor’s redevelopment and operation.

Once modernized, the railway is expected to significantly reduce reliance on road transport, easing congestion and lowering logistics costs for exporters across the region.

Critical Minerals at the Center of Global Rivalry

The project comes amid intensifying geopolitical competition over Africa’s mineral wealth. The upgraded TAZARA line will compete directly with the Lobito Corridor, a rail network backed by the United States and the European Union that connects central Africa’s copperbelt to Angola’s Atlantic coast.

At stake is control over supply chains for minerals such as copper and cobalt—key inputs for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced technologies.

Strengthening China’s Position in Africa

China already plays a dominant role in Africa’s mining sector, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, which together account for a significant share of global copper and cobalt production.

By investing in logistics infrastructure, China is not only securing supply but also strengthening its long-term influence over how these resources reach global markets.

Outlook

The $1.2 billion railway upgrade highlights a broader shift in global strategy, where infrastructure investment is increasingly tied to resource security.

As competing powers race to establish trade corridors across Africa, projects like TAZARA are set to play a critical role in shaping the future of mineral supply chains—and the continent’s position within them.