Why was the Benguela Railway built?

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Construction of the Benguela Railway began in 1902 with the primary purpose of serving the Katanga mines located in the Belgian Congo—modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo.12

By providing a vital link from the coast at Lobito to the interior, the railway was designed to facilitate the transport of minerals from these mines. Historically, the railway also served as a crucial route for landlocked Zambia, providing essential access to the sea.3