Cristina Nambendi is receiving training on farming techniques from a U.S.-funded program in Angola. However, when asked about President Biden or the United States, she appeared unsure. In contrast, she expressed enthusiasm when discussing China, noting their construction of tall buildings and the availability of goods.
President Biden is scheduled to visit Angola on Monday, marking his only trip to Africa during his presidency and what is expected to be his final foreign visit in office. The purpose of the visit is to promote the Lobito Corridor, an 800-mile railway project partially funded by the United States, which aims to be a key initiative on the continent and a response to China's significant influence in Africa.
U.S. officials assert that the corridor will stimulate private investment in Angola and enhance access to minerals essential for electric vehicles and clean energy technologies. Nevertheless, China has invested heavily in Angola over the years, raising questions about the United States' ability to compete with its rival.
Chinese investments have included shopping malls and infrastructure, which many Angolans believe have improved their quality of life and created jobs. In contrast, the U.S. approach has focused on creating conditions for private investment, leaving some skeptical about the timeline and realization of potential benefits.
Edu Xiong, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Luanda, expressed doubt about the promises surrounding the Lobito Corridor, emphasizing that actions speak louder than words.
Angola ranks as the second-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa and turned to foreign nations for assistance after emerging from a civil war in 2002. While the U.S. declined to provide aid, China stepped in, a fact that many Angolans remember. To date, the U.S. has primarily invested in Angola's oil and gas sectors, leading critics to argue that these industries are its main focus.
Since President João Lourenço assumed office in 2017, he has sought to strengthen ties with the United States, even opting for a European consortium to oversee the Lobito railway instead of a Chinese company. Lourenço has also sought U.S. assistance in modernizing Angola's military, which has historically had ties to Russia.
Despite a history of resentment towards the U.S., Lourenço envisions a future where Angola can foster a positive relationship with America, akin to those of Japan and Vietnam, which have moved past their wartime conflicts to embrace American investment.
Critics of the Lobito Corridor argue that it represents another instance of foreign powers extracting resources from Africa. The railway is designed to facilitate the transport of minerals from Angola to global markets, potentially reducing China's competitive advantage in accessing these resources.
Biden has promoted the corridor as a means to diversify Angola's economy and attract manufacturing. U.S. officials emphasize that it will also enable small farmers to export their produce rather than relying on local roadside sales.
Through programs that teach agricultural best practices, such as the one benefiting Nambendi, U.S. officials hope to create goodwill and support broader economic initiatives. Nambendi has shared that her participation in the program has significantly improved her income, enabling her to invest in her home and start a baking business.
As U.S. efforts gain traction, some Angolans are beginning to recognize the potential benefits. Antonio Andrade, a local administrator, imagines a future where American initiatives lead to large-scale agricultural and industrial development.
In Luanda, billboards advertising Chinese companies dominate the landscape, reflecting China's substantial presence in Angola. However, recent economic challenges have led to a decrease in Chinese investment in Africa, prompting some nations to reconsider their reliance on Chinese debt.
Chinese entrepreneurs are shifting focus towards industries like green energy, mining, and manufacturing, with some expressing optimism about the Lobito Corridor's potential benefits for Angola’s economy.