Biden Angola visit/ Lobito Corridor/ U.S.-Africa relations/ Angola critical minerals/ China vs. U.S. Africa/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden’s historic visit to Angola, the first by a U.S. president, underscored America’s commitment to Africa with a $3 billion investment in the Lobito Corridor railway project. The initiative aims to enhance access to critical minerals and counter China’s dominance in the region. Biden also visited Angola’s National Slavery Museum to reflect on shared histories and promote future cooperation, signaling a pivotal moment in U.S.-Africa relations.
Biden’s Angola Visit: Quick Looks
- Historic First: Biden is the first U.S. president to visit Angola, marking a turning point in bilateral relations.
- Lobito Corridor: A $3 billion U.S.-backed railway project aims to connect Angola, Zambia, and Congo to global markets.
- Countering China: The visit highlights efforts to offer sustainable alternatives to China’s Belt and Road investments.
- Slavery Reflection: Biden visited Angola’s National Slavery Museum to address shared histories and promote unity.
- Future Uncertainty: The project’s continuation may depend on the incoming Trump administration’s support.
Biden in Angola: U.S. ‘All In’ on Africa Amid China Rivalry
Deep Look
The Lobito Corridor Project
At the core of Biden’s Angola visit is the Lobito Corridor, a transformative $3 billion railway redevelopment linking Zambia, Congo, and Angola. The corridor aims to facilitate the export of critical minerals essential for electric vehicles, clean energy technologies, and electronic devices. The initiative reflects the U.S.’s renewed focus on Africa as it counters China’s significant influence on the continent.
China has heavily invested in mining and processing African minerals, while its latest export ban on key high-tech materials like gallium and germanium highlights the urgency for alternatives. Biden emphasized that the Lobito Corridor is about sustainable, verifiable investments, not forcing countries to choose sides.
Diplomatic Engagements
In Luanda, Biden met Angolan President João Lourenço, who hailed the visit as a turning point in U.S.-Angola relations. Biden committed to listening and fostering equal partnerships, stating, “We don’t think, because we’re bigger and more powerful, that we’re smarter.”
Both leaders highlighted the economic potential of the Lobito Corridor. Lourenço called for increased energy production through public-private partnerships and praised Biden’s leadership on the railway initiative.
Challenges and Future Uncertainty
While Biden championed the corridor as a cornerstone of U.S.-Africa collaboration, its completion will likely fall under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. White House spokesperson John Kirby expressed hope that Trump will recognize its value to Africa’s stability and prosperity.
Biden’s visit also faced scrutiny for its timing, as delays have reinforced perceptions that Africa remains a low priority for U.S. foreign policy. Despite this, local optimism was evident, with young Angolans welcoming the potential job creation and economic growth tied to the project.
Acknowledging Shared Histories
Biden’s visit to Angola’s National Slavery Museum served as a solemn acknowledgment of the historical ties between the U.S. and Angola through the transatlantic slave trade. The museum, housed in a former 17th-century slave trading hub, symbolizes both a painful past and the potential for a shared vision of unity and growth.
Biden met Wanda Tucker, a descendant of the first enslaved child born in the U.S., whose ancestors were taken from Angola. The president’s speech at the museum focused on reconciliation and a future built on mutual respect.
Broader U.S.-Africa Strategy
The Lobito Corridor represents a strategic pivot in U.S.-Africa relations, offering infrastructure-focused collaboration over traditional trade and aid models. The U.S. aims to counter China’s dominance while fostering economic stability in Africa. However, successful implementation will require bipartisan support and consistent engagement beyond individual administrations.
What’s Next?
- Lobito Corridor Progress: Continued bipartisan support will determine the project’s success under Trump’s administration.
- Africa’s Role in Global Supply Chains: Enhanced access to critical minerals will shape Africa’s influence in clean energy and technology industries.
- U.S.-China Tensions: Africa remains a key battleground in the broader U.S.-China rivalry over global resources.
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