A landmark railway project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, backed by the United States and the European Union to fast-track the export of vital minerals for electric cars and clean energy, could leave thousands of families homeless. The investigation, spearheaded by the international watchdog Global Witness, puts a harsh spotlight on the potential human cost of the global race for resources.

The project, known as the Lobito Corridor, is designed to rehabilitate a colonial-era railway line, providing a strategic route for copper and cobalt from the DRC's mining heartland to Angola's Port of Lobito. For Western nations, it's a crucial move to counter China's dominance in the critical minerals trade. But for up to 6,500 people in the Congolese city of Kolwezi, it could mean the destruction of their homes and livelihoods.

A Community on the Edge

The report estimates that up to 1,200 buildings are at risk of demolition to make way for the upgraded railway. Many of these structures are in the Bel Air neighbourhood of Kolwezi, where poorer residents have built homes and businesses along the largely defunct railway line over several decades.

A previously unenforced buffer zone is now the source of deep anxiety for residents who fear forced evictions without fair compensation. "The Lobito Corridor cannot be built at the cost of communities' homes and rights," emphasized Emily Iona-Stewart of Global Witness, calling for developers to work with communities and respect local laws.

High Stakes and Vague Assurances

The Lobito Corridor is a cornerstone of the G7's Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), with the U.S. and EU pledging billions of dollars. The total investment from all partners is estimated to be around $6 billion (approx. KES 776 billion). The project is operated by the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) consortium, which includes commodity giant Trafigura and Portuguese construction firm Mota-Engil.

In response to the allegations, an EU commission spokesperson noted that the project is in its early stages and that a full environmental and social impact assessment is underway, stating the EU applies the "highest social and environmental standards" to its funded projects. However, the LAR consortium claimed it had not been presented with evidence to support the displacement figures.

• People at risk: Up to 6,500
• Buildings threatened: Up to 1,200
• Location: Kolwezi, DRC
• Key Minerals: Copper, Cobalt
• Primary Funders: United States, European Union

For the DRC, a recent member of the East African Community, this project presents a critical test. It highlights the immense challenge of balancing large-scale foreign investment with the protection of its own citizens—a cautionary tale for neighbouring countries, including Kenya, as the global demand for Africa's resources intensifies.

While the promise of economic development is significant, residents in Kolwezi are living in uncertainty. The path of this railway will determine not only the future of the global green energy supply chain but also the fate of thousands of families who stand in its way.