Pay to Access | Zambia’s Ascending Role in the New Infrastructure and Influence Competition in Central & Southern Africa

Africa’s economic map is shifting. Two major transport corridors — Lobito to the Atlantic and Dar-es-Salaam to the Indian Ocean — are becoming central to the global energy transition. At their intersection, Zambia is emerging as a strategic hub for diplomacy and infrastructure negotiations.

In November 2025, Lusaka hosted EU financing pledges, senior U.S. envoys, and China’s Premier — signaling Zambia’s growing role in shaping access to critical minerals, infrastructure, and regional influence.

Yet key states like the DRC risk under-representation, potentially losing leverage over tariffs, standards, and industrial opportunities. Angola, Tanzania, and regional bodies also face critical choices in corridor governance and coordination.

This report will help you:

• Understand the emerging infrastructure and influence competition in Central & Southern Africa centred on the Lobito and Dar-es-Salaam / TAZARA corridors.
• See why Lusaka is becoming a neutral platform for corridor diplomacy among the EU, US, China and key African states.
• Map the strategic stakes for Zambia, the DRC, Angola and Tanzania, and the role of SADC, COMESA and AfCFTA-linked structures.
• Grasp how recent high-level visits and announcements translate into concrete leverage, risks and opportunities for corridor states.
• Identify priority actions for African governments to keep corridor governance African-led, transparent and development-oriented.
• Understand what external partners and companies should do now to align their corridor strategies with African priorities.