IRIA News

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U.S. President Joe Biden started his first-ever visit to sub-Saharan Africa, fulfilling a long-promised commitment to strengthen ties with the continent. Central to his agenda is showcasing the Lobito Corridor railway project, a $2.5 billion initiative to reshape the U.S. approach to Africa’s critical mineral sector and countering China’s growing influence.

The Lobito Corridor railway project spans Zambia, Congo, and Angola, marking a significant move in the U.S. competition with China for dominance over Africa’s vast mineral resources.

This three-day visit to Angola represents Biden’s first trip to the region as president, coming nearly three years into his term. Biden made a brief stop in Cape Verde for discussions with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva, underlining his administration’s commitment to forging stronger relationships across the African continent.

Biden’s visit to Africa comes after delays that frustrated some observers and African leadership, including a postponed trip in October due to Hurricane Milton. This has fed into a perception that Africa remains a low priority for the United States.

In contrast, China has consistently prioritized Africa, holding summits with African leaders every three years since 2000. The U.S., in comparison, has hosted only two such summits, in 2014 and 2022.

This morning, I met with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva of the Republic of Cabo Verde to discuss our growing relationship, the vibrant Cabo Verdean diaspora in the U.S., and ways we can work together to support democratic freedoms and climate resilience. pic.twitter.com/gMQQDKphsD

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 2, 2024

Infrastructural investments in Africa

The Lobito Corridor railway project aims to modernize and expand an 800-mile route that links Zambia and Congo’s rich copper and cobalt mines to the Atlantic Ocean port of Lobito in Angola. These critical minerals are essential for producing batteries, electric vehicles, and clean energy technologies.

The project is part of the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, spearheaded by Biden as a counter to China’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative.

The U.S., along with financing from the European Union, private consortiums, and African banks, has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to the project. However, the Lobito Corridor’s fate, and its potential to redefine U.S. engagement with Africa, remains uncertain.

Competing with China

China’s dominance in Africa, particularly in the mining sectors of Zambia and Congo, presents a formidable challenge. Congo alone accounts for more than 70% of the world’s cobalt, much of which currently supports China’s critical mineral supply chain. The U.S. hopes that initiatives like Lobito can shift this dynamic by providing a Western alternative.

A Western-led consortium won the bid for Lobito’s redevelopment in 2022, overcoming Chinese competition, a notable achievement given Angola’s historical ties to Beijing. This breakthrough followed years of U.S. diplomatic outreach, reversing decades of antagonism that dated back to the Angolan Civil War.

U.S.-Angola relations in focus

Biden’s visit also serves to highlight the evolution of U.S.-Angola relations. The two nations have moved past their Cold War-era animosities, with Angola emerging as a regional partner in trade, security, and conflict mediation. Last year, U.S.-Angola trade reached $1.77 billion, and Angola’s President Joao Lourenço has played a key role in addressing conflicts in eastern Congo.

White House officials announced that Biden will unveil new agreements on health, agribusiness, and security cooperation during his time in Angola. Frances Brown, a senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council, emphasized the visit’s significance, stating it would “highlight that remarkable evolution of the U.S.-Angola relationship.”

However, the visit is not without controversy. Human rights groups have criticized Angola’s government for authoritarian practices, including the imprisonment and alleged torture of political opponents. Biden’s trip has drawn scrutiny over whether the U.S. can reconcile its value-based diplomacy with deeper engagement in Africa.

The Lobito Corridor is more than just a railway project, it is a litmus test for U.S. strategy in Africa. While it signals a willingness to invest in the continent’s infrastructure and critical industries, many argue that a broader, more consistent approach is necessary to compete with China effectively.

As Biden concludes his visit, the question remains: will the U.S. fully commit to Africa, or will the Lobito Corridor be another isolated initiative in a sporadic history of engagement? Only time, and the actions of future administrations, will tell.