Biden’s Africa Visit Highlights U.S.-Backed Railway Project in Bid to Counter China’s Influence

President Joe Biden is embarking on his long-awaited visit to Africa this week, with a focus on showcasing a U.S.-funded railway project in Zambia, Congo, and Angola. The Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment, a $2.5 billion initiative, aims to bolster U.S. presence in a region rich in critical minerals vital for electric vehicle batteries, electronics, and clean energy technologies.

This project is seen as a strategic move to challenge China’s dominance in Africa’s mineral sector. Biden’s trip, delayed multiple times, underscores the growing competition with China, particularly in infrastructure development. However, the future of the initiative may be influenced by the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.