Strategic mineral partnerships are reshaping how critical minerals are financed, transported and traded. Rising demand for transition minerals is driving new forms of cooperation between governments, development partners and companies, with a growing focus on integrated supply chains rather than isolated mining investments.

The Lobito Corridor illustrates both the potential and complexity of these new supply chain models. While the Corridor offers a strategic alternative route for copper and cobalt exports, its development remains uneven and dependent on coordination across countries, institutions and financing arrangements.

Diversification and value addition are possible, but not guaranteed. The Corridor could support local content, supplier development and downstream processing, but outcomes will depend on governance and policy decisions, as well as addressing constraints such as power supply, infrastructure gaps, financing and industrial capacity.

Governance gaps, rather than geology or finance alone, present key risks to achieving development outcomes. Weak transparency, limited coordination and unclear rules across mining, transport and infrastructure can undermine investment, delay implementation and reduce domestic value capture.

Transparency and multi-stakeholder oversight are critical to de-risking the Corridor and strengthening cross-country coordination. Improving EITI disclosures on transport, infrastructure and value addition – and leveraging multi-stakeholder processes across corridors through the EITI and other frameworks such as the Africa Mining Vision and national mechanisms – can strengthen accountability and set up corridors for long-term success.

Report by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative