Biden Africa visit/ Lobito Corridor/ U.S. railway investment/ Angola railway project/ cobalt and copper trade/ U.S.-China competition/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden highlighted the Lobito Corridor railway in Angola, a U.S.-backed project connecting Zambia, Congo, and Angola. The initiative aims to boost U.S. influence in Africa’s mineral-rich regions while countering China’s infrastructure expansion. Biden announced $600 million in new U.S. investments during the visit.
Biden’s Angola Visit: Quick Looks
- Rail Project Focus: Lobito Corridor will connect Africa’s western and eastern coasts.
- U.S. Investment: Biden announced $600 million in funding for associated projects.
- Mineral Trade: Targets cobalt and copper exports critical for clean energy technologies.
- China Rivalry: Counters China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Africa.
- Economic Goals: Promotes private sector growth over traditional aid models.
- Legacy Transition: Project’s completion likely under President-elect Donald Trump’s term.
‘Amtrak Joe Biden’ Highlights African Rail Project During Angola Visit
Deep Look
The Lobito Corridor: A Game-Changing Rail Project
President Joe Biden used his historic visit to Angola to spotlight the Lobito Corridor, a U.S.-backed railway project connecting Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Spanning 800 miles (1,300 kilometers), the corridor aims to accelerate the transport of cobalt, copper, and other critical minerals used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced electronics.
Biden called the initiative the largest U.S. investment in a foreign railway and emphasized its potential to transform Africa’s mineral export routes by significantly reducing transit times. Currently, cargo from eastern Congo or Zambia can take up to 45 days to reach markets, often by truck. The upgraded railway reduces the same journey to 40-50 hours.
Biden’s Visit and Key Announcements
Under the banner “The Lobito Corridor Connecting Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean,” Biden announced $600 million in new U.S. investments.
This funding will support projects tied to the corridor, including infrastructure upgrades and partnerships with companies like Acrow Bridge, a Pennsylvania firm supplying prefabricated steel bridges. Additionally, Congo committed a $553 million loan to further enhance rail operations from Lobito to the Congo border.
Strategic Importance and China’s Challenge
The Lobito Corridor represents a strategic effort by the U.S. to counter China’s growing influence in Africa. Through its Belt and Road Initiative, China has heavily invested in African infrastructure, including a rival railway connecting Zambia to Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port.
While the U.S. aims to differentiate itself by promoting private sector-led projects that drive sustainable economic growth, analysts view the Lobito Corridor as a direct response to China’s initiatives. A senior U.S. official described the corridor as central to competing with China “not as a political adversary, but from a business standpoint.”
Promoting Private Sector Investment
The Biden administration hopes the railway will spark a wave of Western private sector investment in southern Africa. Biden emphasized that the U.S. strategy prioritizes empowering local economies through projects that foster long-term development rather than relying solely on foreign aid.
The Lobito Corridor’s approach is viewed as a model for similar U.S.-led initiatives worldwide. It reflects a shift in U.S. foreign policy toward leveraging infrastructure investments to enhance global economic ties and counter competing powers.
A Legacy for Biden and Trump
As Biden’s presidency nears its end, much of the corridor’s work will continue under President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office in January. The Biden administration expressed optimism that Trump and Republican leaders, who have supported previous African business initiatives, will continue backing the project.
Looking Ahead
The Lobito Corridor project promises to reshape trade dynamics in southern Africa, connecting mineral-rich regions to global markets more efficiently. While it will take years to complete, the initiative underscores the U.S. commitment to fostering economic development in Africa while maintaining its global competitiveness.
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