Biden ends Africa trip with commitment to critical minerals corridor

President Joe Biden wrapped up an African visit during which he promised US investments to counter a growing Chinese influence, while focusing on the Lobito corridor that will ease the transport of critical minerals to the US market.

The corridor has been at the heart of the US African strategy due to its potential in facilitating the export of minerals that are key to the energy transition.

The corridor will help export these critical minerals from landlocked African countries to ports in Angola.

On his final day in Angola, the president toured the port of Lobito, and examined American-made General Electric trains used to carry cargo along the railway before meeting with regional leaders for an official Lobito Corridor Trans-Africa Summit.

The corridor would cut the export duration of key minerals such as DRC’s cobalt to 40 or 50 hours through Angola instead of 45 days by truck through South Africa.

The Biden administration has pledged $4 billion in US investments in the Lobito Corridor.

Biden announced that the US will invest an additional $560 million for projects along the Lobito corridor, from continued infrastructure upgrades to helping build mobile networks.

The US Development Finance Corporation also has approved a $553 million direct loan for the railway.