Will Biden’s Africa Visit Align with Trump’s Vision for the Continent?

As President Biden prepares for his Africa visit, questions arise about how his policies will compare with Trump’s vision for the continent and its geopolitical future.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to embark on his eagerly anticipated visit to Africa this week, marking his inaugural trip to the continent as president. The visit will center on the redevelopment of the Lobito Corridor railway, which extends through Zambia, Congo, and Angola.

This initiative is viewed as a crucial effort to bolster U.S. influence in Africa, a region abundant in minerals vital for producing electric vehicle batteries, electronics, and technology.

For years, the United States has fostered relationships in Africa through avenues like trade, security measures, and humanitarian assistance. However, the 800-mile (1,300-kilometer) railway upgrade project with a budget of $2.5 billion represents a departure from this traditional approach. This initiative bears similarities to China’s Belt and Road foreign infrastructure strategy which has been rapidly advancing. The Biden administration regards this corridor as one of President Biden’s flagship initiatives.

On Monday, Biden will commence his three-day visit to Angola. Nevertheless, the future of the Lobito Corridor and U.S.-Africa relations might be influenced by the upcoming presidential election. If Donald Trump returns to the White House, there could be substantial shifts in how the U.S. engages with Africa — a rapidly growing continent home to 1.4 billion people.