“Railway Summit” held in Lobito Port, Angola, was a turning point that will fundamentally change Africa’s trade and logistics network. The summit provided a platform that will have significant impacts not only on regional but also on global logistics and trade balances.
US President Joe Biden, President of Angola João Lourenço, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi, President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema and Vice President of Tanzania Philip Mpango This summit, which was attended by China, draws attention as a strategic move by the United States and Western countries against China's logistical superiority over Africa.
Lobito Railway Corridor: A New Logistics Line for Africa
Lobito Railway Corridor Project, will start from Angola and extend to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia. This new logistics line aims to reshape the trade routes connecting West Africa to East Africa. The prominent features of the project can be listed as follows:
- Strategic Links: Important ports and trade centers in the region will be connected via railway.
- Economic Momentum: The corridor will contribute to the economic development of the continent by increasing the trade volume within Africa.
- Balancing China's Influence: It aims to limit China's influence in Africa by offering a strategic alternative to the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.
Competition in Africa: US, EU and China
Osman Genç, President of the Africa-Türkiye Cooperation Platform, in his statement after the summit, of an invisible competition According to Genç's comments:
- Chinese: It stands out in Africa, especially in the Eastern region, with projects such as the Juba-Mombasa Railway.
- USA and the West: It is trying to curb China's influence with initiatives such as the Lobito Rail Corridor.
- Turkey: It has the potential to seize the opportunities created by competition and take a more active role in Africa.
Opportunities for Turkish Companies
Osman Genç, infrastructure investments in Africa A great opportunity for Turkish companies He stated that the Turkish contracting sector has the potential to become an important player in this field, given its success in previous international projects.
- Lobby Corridor: A project that can increase the international effectiveness of Turkish companies in Africa.
- Contracting Experience: Turkey's success in infrastructure projects can make a difference in large-scale projects like these.
- Investment Need: Investments in logistics and transportation projects in Africa can strengthen the commercial presence of Turkish companies on the continent.
The Importance of the Lobito Corridor for Türkiye
The Lobito Railway Corridor is of strategic importance not only for Africa but also for Turkey. This project offers the following opportunities to increase Turkey’s influence in Africa:
- International Competition: The participation of Turkish companies in the project could strengthen Turkey's place in the global contracting rankings.
- Economic Cooperation: Trade relations between Africa and Türkiye may deepen further.
- Sustainable Development: Participation in the project will enable Turkey to contribute to development goals in Africa.
Projects Shaping Africa's Future
Lobito Railway Corridor, stands out as a project that will restructure the economic and logistics balances in Africa. Turkish companies taking advantage of this opportunity to strengthen their role in Africa will be not only a commercial but also a strategic gain.
Turkey's entrepreneurial and innovative approach can contribute to Africa's logistics infrastructure, creating win-win results for both parties.
