Joe Biden recently became the first U.S. president to visit Angola, signaling the importance of the country in America's strategic efforts to counter China's influence in Africa. The visit highlighted the development of the Lobito Corridor, a major infrastructure project aimed at connecting Angola's Lobito port to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) via rail and road networks. This initiative seeks to improve access to Africa's mineral-rich regions and reduce reliance on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, which have long dominated African infrastructure development.
The Lobito Corridor is part of the U.S.-led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), which aims to promote transparent and sustainable development as an alternative to China's often opaque financing methods. This project, backed by U.S., EU, and African Development Bank funding, intends to modernize 1,344 kilometers of rail, build additional links in Zambia, and facilitate cobalt and copper exports from the region to global markets. The Corridor is seen as a centerpiece in the U.S. effort to showcase its investment in Africa beyond traditional aid, offering a competitive alternative to China's established projects like the TAZARA railway
President Biden's visit also underscored Angola's geopolitical importance. The country has balanced relationships with global powers, including China, the U.S., and Russia. Angola's significant debt to China—primarily tied to infrastructure loans—complicates this balancing act. While the U.S. hopes to deepen economic and possibly military ties with Angola, the nation's strategic location and resource wealth make it a key player in the competition between major powers
Biden's visit aligns with his administration's broader Africa strategy, which aims to enhance U.S.-Africa relations, particularly in infrastructure, critical minerals, and clean energy sectors, while countering China's economic dominance