Chicago – December 01, 2024
President Joe Biden is heading to Angola on Sunday for a visit to fulfill his promise of traveling to Africa during his presidency. One of the main focuses of his trip will be a major U.S.-backed railway project designed to help move critical minerals away from China.
The railway connects the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to the Angolan port of Lobito on the Atlantic Ocean, providing a faster and more efficient route for exporting minerals like copper and cobalt, which are used in electronics and batteries.
China is a major player in the DRC, where these valuable minerals are found, raising concerns in Washington. In response, China has signed a deal with Tanzania and Zambia to create a rival railway line to Africa’s eastern coast.
The Lobito Atlantic Railway project, funded in part by a $550 million U.S. loan, is supported by global companies like Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis. The railway is expected to improve trade and reduce China’s influence in the region.
While Biden’s visit marks the final days of his presidency, former President Donald Trump is expected to continue supporting the project if he returns to office in January, focusing on competition with China and access to critical minerals.
