CAPE TOWN, South Africa — President Joe Biden is set to fulfill his long-awaited promise of visiting Africa this week as he attempts to promote a U.S.-backed railway initiative across three nations. This visit is part of a broader strategy aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the region.
Biden’s inaugural trip to Africa as president will focus on the redevelopment of the Lobito Corridor railway, which stretches through Zambia, Congo, and Angola. The railway aims to boost U.S. engagement in an area known for its abundance of essential minerals that are pivotal in manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles, electronic gadgets, and renewable energy solutions. This focus underscores a competitive landscape where the U.S. and China vie for dominance over Africa’s critical mineral resources.
The Redevelopment of the Lobito Corridor is seen as a significant departure from the long-standing U.S. approach characterized by trade, security, and humanitarian assistance. Valued at approximately $2.5 billion, this 800-mile railway upgrade mirrors elements of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative that has rapidly advanced infrastructure projects around the world. The Biden administration has positioned the corridor as a key element of its foreign policy agenda.
Biden’s itinerary begins with a three-day visit to Angola on Monday, but the success of the Lobito project and the future of U.S. relations with Africa, a continent of 1.4 billion people increasingly gravitating towards China, may face challenges with the forthcoming presidential election and the potential return of Donald Trump. According to observers, many African leaders are already redirecting their attentions to Trump.
The U.S. has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars toward the Lobito Corridor, supplemented by funding from the European Union, the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, a coalition of Western private investors, and African financial institutions. Experts stress the importance of this project, highlighting it as a flagship endeavor under the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, inspired by Biden’s commitment to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative and support other developing countries.
After rescheduling his promised visit, which was originally planned for last year and postponed again in October due to Hurricane Milton, Biden’s trip reinforces perceptions that African issues often do not receive adequate attention from U.S. leaders. The last sitting president to visit Africa was Barack Obama in 2015.
Despite these political dynamics, there remains cautious optimism regarding the Lobito project, which is not expected to be operational until well after Biden’s term ends. Analysts believe that bipartisan support for countering China in Africa may help sustain funding for the project, contingent on its continued framing as a key tool in America’s efforts to challenge Chinese influence.
The Lobito Corridor will enhance and extend a railway connecting Zambia’s and Congo’s lucrative copper and cobalt mines to Angola’s Lobito port, serving as a vital artery for Africa’s essential minerals. However, experts point out that this initiative is just a beginning for the U.S. amid China’s dominance in mineral extraction, particularly in Congo, which holds over 70% of the world’s cobalt, a resource largely directed towards China’s supply chains.
The project owes its momentum to positive developments in U.S.-Angolan relations, which have evolved significantly since the Cold War era when the U.S. backed rebel factions against Angola’s government during its civil war. With trade between the U.S. and Angola reaching $1.77 billion last year, and a strategic American presence bolstering regional security, Biden’s agenda includes discussions on health, agribusiness, and security while spotlighting the Lobito Corridor.
White House officials emphasize that Biden’s visit, marking the first by a sitting U.S. president to Angola, signifies a notable evolution in bilateral relations. However, it also raises questions regarding America’s approach to value-based diplomacy in Africa, especially amid criticisms from international human rights groups aimed at President João Lourenço’s government for its authoritarian shifts, including the imprisonment and alleged torture of political opponents.
Advocates for greater U.S. involvement in Africa suggest that Angola and the Lobito Corridor may serve as templates for future engagements, provided that Washington commits to a more consistent presence. Nonetheless, they note the stark contrast in engagement levels, as China has held regular summits with African leaders since 2000, while the U.S. has been sporadic in its approaches.
Former U.S. ambassador to Botswana Michelle Gavin has voiced concerns over the longstanding trend of neglect towards Africa across various administrations, noting that while Biden’s initiatives, including the Lobito project, are steps in the right direction, they may not represent a transformative shift in U.S. policy towards the continent. “It’s important to think beyond just containing China and to imagine what enhanced U.S. engagement in Africa could look like,” she remarked.
