On Monday, December 2, Joe Biden landed in Angola. The U.S. President had promised to visit the African continent during his tenure, waiting until the last minute to make the trip. Biden didn’t choose Angola by chance for his first and only official visit to Africa.
The United States is financing a major project worth billions of dollars, such as the reopening of the Lobito railway corridor, which connects the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Angola. The country is also the fourth-largest trading partner for Americans in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a total of $1.77 billion in trade last year. The White House has embraced Biden’s decision to visit Angola, emphasizing the country’s significant role in the region. Angola’s geographic position, adjacent to the DRC and with critical mineral reserves like cobalt and copper, makes it an important player. Investing in the country is seen as a way to ensure security through economic development.
Looking West
Angola is also the second-largest exporter of crude oil on the continent. Unlike other African nations that are shifting towards new allies, Angola remains open to trade agreements with Western capitals. The operation and rehabilitation of the Lobito railway have multiple objectives. For Angola, the issue of internal competition in Africa is already present. Minerals extracted from these mines, for example, often go through South Africa or Tanzania ports like Durban or Dar es Salaam for export. Therefore, the idea is to open a new western route through the Lobito port.
Offering an Alternative to China
Looking further afield, one can see China’s increasing presence on the continent. As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure projects in recent years. In September, during the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $50 billion in financial aid to African countries over the next three years. This is where the U.S. comes in: offering an alternative to China’s influence in Africa, specifically in Angola. The goal is to diversify economic activities and reduce dependence on oil exports.
Moreover, Washington wants these investments to benefit the entire region. The railway connecting Lobito in Angola with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia spans hundreds of kilometers and is expected to reduce shipping costs and delivery times, stimulating the economy and attracting further investments. The U.S. is likely to benefit in sectors such as telecommunications, construction engineering, agriculture, food, and green energy.
However, one question looms: What will Donald Trump’s Africa policy look like? The future U.S. president has traditionally been indifferent toward the continent, but the desire to engage in a trade war with Beijing could change the perspective on Africa.
