Behind the Lobito Corridor

“Behind the Lobito Corridor” is a podcast series produced by the Istituto Affari Internazionali as part of the project: “Italy at the forefront of infrastructure diplomacy: the Lobito Corridor case”.   The series delves deeper into the research briefs published within the project through conversations between the authors of the briefs and the host Pietro Rinaldi, Junior Researcher in the Energy, Climate and Resource Programme.     In this second episode, the brief explored is: "Minerals and the Lobito Corridor: Between Domestic Needs and the EU’s Derisking Strategy" The authors, Pietro Rinaldi, Junior Researcher, and Pier Paolo Raimondi, Senior Research Fellow — both in the 'Energy, Climate and Resources' programme — and Research Fellow at the European University Institute, examine the Corridor through an energy lens, exploring the potential synergies and tensions between European and African interests in the mining sector.   The conversation touches on energy access, critical minerals strategies, and the diversification and securitization of supply chains. 

“Behind the Lobito Corridor” is a podcast series produced by the Istituto Affari Internazionali as part of the project: “Italy at the forefront of infrastructure diplomacy: the Lobito Corridor case”.   The series delves deeper into the research briefs published within the project through conversations between the authors of the briefs and the host Pietro Rinaldi, Junior Researcher in the Energy, Climate and Resource Programme.     In this second episode, the brief explored is: “What Role for Italy’s Infrastructure Diplomacy? Lessons from the Lobito Corridor”. Authors Marianna Lunardini, Researcher in the Multilateralism and Global Governance Programme, and Filippo Simonelli, Junior Researcher in the italian foreing policy programme, discuss the implications of Italian and European investment in the Corridor at a historical moment of weakening in the transatlantic bond.   This episode explores the Team Europe approach, the evolution of sustainable partnerships, and the progress of the Italian-African partnership.  

In this first episode, the brief explored is: “The Lobito Corridor and Africa’s Development Agenda: Synergies with the Mattei Plan and Global Gateway.” Authors Marianna Lunardini, Researcher in the Multilateralism and Global Governance Programme, and Darlington Tshuma, Researcher in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa Programme, will unpack the complex dynamics and potential synergies of the Lobito Corridor with broader initiatives, such as the Mattei Plan and Global Gateway.   This discussion provides a more nuanced understanding of the project, examining its implications for the local population, regional dynamics, and international interest in the corridor.