USTDA Financially Backs the Multisectoral Growth of the Lobito Corridor
On 22 September 2026, the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) signed a couple of agreements to back the development of the Lobito Corridor beyond its pure transport function. USTDA will finance a feasibility study by Anzana Electric and another pre-feasibility study for Buenassa Resources for a #copper and #cobalt refinery in DR Congo.
Anzana Electric signed an agreement on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (#UNGA81) in New York. USTDA Deputy Director Thomas Hardy and Anzana Electric CEO Brian Kelly signed the Agreement. According to the Agreement, USTDA will provide USD 3 billion to Anzana to carry out a feasibility study to address electrification along the #LobitoCorridor connecting Angola, the DR Congo, and Zambia.
In the case of Buenassa Resources, the study will assess potential feedstock suppliers for the refinery, develop the technical design and define the financial parameters to ensure bankability. The study will identify structural bottlenecks and highlight the socio-economic benefits that are expected from the smelter project.
“Reliable power allows mines to operate, businesses to profit, and families to thrive. USTDA’s investment will help to strengthen the mineral supply chains America’s security and economy depend on, while building the power systems our partners in the DRC and Zambia need to grow… Copper and cobalt are two of the most vital minerals to ensuring the U.S. remains a global leader in the technology and defense sectors,”
USTDA Deputy Director Thamos Hardy
“As the world’s leading cobalt producer and Africa’s largest copper producer, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is determined to become a global center for critical mineral beneficiation.”
DRC Minister of Industry Justin Kalumba
“The countries along the Lobito Corridor are uniquely positioned to create long term economic value from their critical minerals. Realizing that ambition depends on reliable electricity, which underpins industrialization, drives local value addition, creates jobs and strengthens economies.”
Anzana Electric CEO Brian Kelly
The scope of the study involves the development of green generation and electricity distribution across the Lualaba Province in the DRC and the north-western provinces of Zambia. The power is mostly destined to support the copper and cobalt operations in the Copperbelt region and is expected to also provide #ElectricityAccess to more than 3 million people.
Currently, diesel generators are in common use and they are both costly and highly polluting. Thus, the study will identify hydropower potential for development and modernize the electricity distribution grid. At the same time, other renewable energy sources will be prioritized to connect the 500,000 households in the target region.
Previous estimates by the African Development Bank (AfCB) put the electrification project along the Lobito Corridor at about USD 300 million. British International Investment has already expressed an interest in financing the project, with its subsidiary Gridworks getting involved in the implementation. The grant from USTDA shall act as seed money to mobilize more capital, particularly from the US private sector.