The Central African Republic (CAR), due to its lack of direct access to the sea, has largely kept its mineral resources in limbo. For this reason, a proposal has been made to construct a 1,350-kilometer railway line between the Central African Republic and Kribi in neighboring Cameroon. This railway will provide a new route for exporting iron ore and other minerals from the Central African Republic to international markets.
Financing and International Collaborations
A&S Resources has recently secured $6 billion from an Indian financial institution for the development of rail infrastructure between its mineral assets in the Central African Republic and Kribi. The construction of this railway is likely to be carried out by a Chinese infrastructure company. This announcement follows a February 2026 statement from A&S Resources, which outlined agreements for the development of mines, railway construction, and other logistics related to long-term extraction. However, given that explorations are in the early stages, iron ore exports from this region seem unlikely before the early 2030s.
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Export Potential and Economic Importance
A&S Resources estimates that the Bakala/Topa and Begouin properties contain over 20 billion tons of high-quality iron ore. If confirmed, this will create immense export potential. The company has also identified copper, rare elements, and other strategic minerals that could enhance the corridor's significance as China and India seek greater access to critical mineral resources. The railway is initially expected to transport 250,000 tons of cargo daily, equivalent to 91 million tons per year, and is likely to increase to 300,000 tons per day for major iron ore destinations.
In 2025, China's iron ore imports reached about 1.3 billion tons and are expected to increase by 1.5 to 2 percent annually by 2031. Meanwhile, India is also considered another growing market. Previous analyses indicate that India's strong growth in steel production could make it a major importer of iron ore in the coming years. India's imports reached over 12 million tons in 2025, and the country's target of producing 255 million tons of crude steel by 2030-31 could significantly boost its iron ore imports.
If Kribi exports around 100 million tons annually, evenly split between China and India, both countries are likely to distance themselves from Australian iron ore. This diversification could create over 500 billion tons of additional transport demand, leading to a demand for about 70 to 80 large Capesize ships in the late 2030s.
While this project faces significant financial, construction, and implementation challenges, its impact on transportation is noteworthy. If this corridor is developed properly, it could create a major iron ore loading hub in the Atlantic.
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