PRESIDENT Joe Biden, on a landmark visit to Angola, is making the case for a distinctively American approach to African partnerships, highlighting sustainable investment over high-debt projects often associated with China. This visit underscores a major infrastructure initiative designed to bolster regional development and counter Beijing’s economic dominance across the continent.
Biden’s two-day visit to Angola marks the first trip by a sitting US president to the southern African nation. His message: America must do ‘better’ rather than ‘more’ in Africa to reclaim influence and foster mutual growth. ‘It’s not about bigger cheques,’ a senior administration official explained. ‘It’s about bringing investments that uplift societies rather than weigh them down with unsustainable debt.’
Spotlight on the Lobito Corridor
The centrepiece of Biden’s trip is the $600 million Lobito Corridor project, an ambitious infrastructure scheme linking resource-rich nations in Central Africa with Angola’s Lobito port. Designed to transport critical minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to export hubs, the project promises to slash transport times from 45 days to just 45 hours.
“This isn’t just a railway,’ said Biden during his address at the port of Lobito. ‘It’s a lifeline for communities, a pipeline for commerce, and a bridge for partnerships.’
The project, co-funded by the European Union and other partners, will also focus on building up local communities. Plans include boosting agriculture, establishing food processing centres, and encouraging small businesses along the railway line.
Angola’s strategic importance
Biden’s trip, his first to sub-Saharan Africa during his presidency, reflects a recalibrated US foreign policy focused on Africa’s growing strategic importance. Angola, once a Soviet-aligned Portuguese colony, is now emerging as a significant player in global mineral exports. The Lobito Corridor positions Angola as a gateway for mineral-rich inland nations to access international markets, shifting reliance away from traditional Chinese-controlled routes.
The initiative also aims to counteract the perceived exploitative practices of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which critics argue saddles African nations with unmanageable debt and neglects local community development.
João Lourenço, Angola’s president since 2017, expressed optimism about the collaboration. ‘Angola stands ready to be a bridge between Central Africa and the world, and we value partnerships that benefit our people,’ Lourenço stated during a joint press conference.
A landmark visit with political undercurrents
Biden’s visit to Angola comes as he prepares to leave the White House at the age of 82. While the trip underscores his administration’s commitment to strengthening US-African relations, questions linger about its long-term impact, given his impending departure.
On his first day in Angola, Biden visited the National Slavery Museum in Luanda, reflecting on the region’s painful history while emphasising the need for equitable partnerships in the modern era. Wednesday’s schedule saw the president touring Lobito port and attending a summit on infrastructure with leaders from Angola, the DRC, Zambia, and Tanzania.
Challenges and critics
The Lobito Corridor project faces significant hurdles. Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Africa Programme director at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, highlighted the dominance of Chinese firms in the DRC and Zambia’s mining sectors. ‘The US cannot sideline China,’ he cautioned, noting that cooperation might be necessary to ensure the success of the corridor.
Critics have also drawn parallels between the Lobito project and China’s BRI, suggesting it might replicate extractive practices. ‘To truly set a new standard, the US must ensure community development and environmental sustainability are more than talking points,’ said Dizolele.
Looking ahead
Biden’s administration is confident that the incoming president, Donald Trump, will back the project despite his historically dismissive stance on Africa. ‘You can’t say you’re tough on China and not support an alternative like this,’ a senior official said.
Trump’s past comments and policies regarding Africa remain controversial, but his trade-focused agenda might align with the economic vision Biden has laid out. However, analysts warn that maintaining bipartisan support for such initiatives will be critical to their long-term viability.
Recalibrating US-Africa relations
Biden’s Angola visit is not just about countering China but also about redefining the US’s role on the continent. By focusing on sustainability, mutual benefit, and community upliftment, the Lobito Corridor aims to set a new precedent for international partnerships in Africa.
As Biden prepares to leave office, his message remains clear: Africa deserves investments that respect its sovereignty and prioritise its people’s welfare. The challenge now is ensuring this vision outlives his presidency.
