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BIDEN’S HISTORIC VISIT TO ANGOLA SPOTLIGHTS US-AFRICA TIES, MINERAL RIVALRY

BIDEN’S HISTORIC VISIT TO ANGOLA SPOTLIGHTS US-AFRICA TIES, MINERAL RIVALRY
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Faith Nyasuguta

Joe Biden embarked on a historic visit to Angola on Sunday, delivering on his promise to visit Africa during his presidency. This trip, his first and likely last to the continent as U.S. president, could carry significant geopolitical and economic implications.

It focuses on strengthening the U.S.-Africa relations and advancing a major infrastructure project designed to counter China’s dominance in Africa’s critical mineral supply chain.

At the heart of Biden’s visit is the Lobito Atlantic Railway Corridor. This ambitious 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) rail project links the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to Angola’s Lobito port on the Atlantic Ocean. The railway offers a faster, more efficient route for exporting critical minerals such as copper and cobalt, essential for modern electronics and renewable energy technologies to global markets.

The U.S. Development Finance Corporation has committed $550 million to the project, which is also backed by global commodities trader Trafigura, Portuguese construction company Mota-Engil, and Belgian railway operator Vecturis. By funding this initiative, the U.S. aims to reduce Africa’s reliance on China, which has dominated the DRC’s mining sector and established strong economic footholds across the continent.

Joe Biden /Courtesy/

China has not taken this challenge lightly. In September, Beijing signed an agreement with Tanzania and Zambia to revitalize a rival railway linking the DRC to Africa’s eastern coast. This intensifying rivalry underscores Africa’s growing significance in global geopolitics as a battleground for access to critical resources.

Biden’s visit also holds symbolic weight, marking a turning point in U.S.-Angola relations after decades of complicated history. During Angola’s 27-year civil war, the U.S. and the Soviet Union supported opposing factions, fueling a brutal conflict. Formal diplomatic ties were only established in 1993, nearly two decades after Angola’s independence.

Today, Angola is emerging as a key player in the global economy, thanks to its strategic location and resource wealth. While it has traditionally maintained close ties with China and Russia, Angola is increasingly looking Westward for partnerships that align with its goals for economic growth and diversification.

Angola’s transport minister, Ricardo Viegas d’Abreu, expressed optimism about the Lobito project, emphasizing the need for equitable partnerships. “China has only gained prominence because Western countries have probably not been paying much attention to Africa,” he noted. Angola’s leaders hope the project will attract investment in various sectors and serve as a model for other infrastructure initiatives on the continent.

Biden’s visit to Angola includes a stop at the National Museum of Slavery in the capital, Luanda, as well as a tour of the Lobito port. These engagements highlight the multifaceted nature of U.S.-Africa relations, combining historical reflection with a forward-looking agenda for economic and security collaboration.

The Lobito project is more than just an infrastructure development, it is a test case for the Biden administration’s strategy of leveraging private-public partnerships to address Africa’s needs. Judd Devermont, a former senior Africa adviser in the Biden administration, emphasized the project’s significance. “This is not a one-off. It’s a demonstration of what is possible,” he said, expressing hope that it would pave the way for future collaborations.

However, critics have raised concerns about the project’s long-term viability. The second phase, which envisions extending the railway to Tanzania’s eastern coast, has drawn particular scrutiny. Some argue that this expansion could dilute the initiative’s primary goal of reducing Chinese influence over Africa’s critical minerals.

Lobito Project /bankable/

Devermont dismissed these concerns, pointing to Congo’s desire to diversify its mining partnerships. “The Congolese have been very clear that they don’t want to see their entire mining sector dominated by China,” he said. “It benefits everyone if there’s an easy way to move across the continent, whether that’s critical minerals or just goods moving from India to Brazil to New York.”

Biden’s trip also comes at a critical juncture for U.S. engagement in Africa, which has faced setbacks in recent years. This summer, the U.S. lost access to its key spy base in Niger following a military coup. Efforts to relocate those assets have so far been unsuccessful, leaving Washington without a foothold in the Sahel region, a hotspot for Islamist militancy.

Despite these challenges, the Biden administration is determined to deepen its ties with Africa. The Lobito project aligns with broader U.S. goals of countering China and Russia’s influence on the continent while promoting economic growth and regional stability.

Biden’s visit also reflects the changing dynamics of U.S.-Africa relations. Once viewed through the narrow lens of Cold War geopolitics, these relations are now shaped by Africa’s growing economic and strategic importance. Angola, with its vast natural resources and pivotal location, is central to this evolving partnership.

As Biden’s presidency nears its conclusion, his visit to Angola highlights the enduring importance of Africa in global affairs. It signals a commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relationships that prioritize Africa’s development and sovereignty. While much work remains to be done, the trip represents a step toward realizing the continent’s potential as a driver of global progress.

Whether the Lobito project and similar initiatives will succeed in transforming Africa’s infrastructure and economic landscape remains to be seen. However, Biden’s visit highlights the stakes involved and the opportunities that lie ahead.

/Global Times/

For Angola and the broader region, it is a moment of renewed engagement and possibility, one that could reshape Africa’s role in the global order for years to come.

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Faith Nyasuguta

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