**Biden's Visit to Angola: A Show of Resolve Against Chinese Influence**

**Amid growing Chinese investment in Africa, President Biden's upcoming trip to Angola aims to counter this influence by introducing a significant rail project designed to boost U.S. presence on the continent.**

President Biden is set to visit Angola on Monday, where he will promote the Lobito Corridor, an ambitious 800-mile railway aimed at revitalizing U.S. commitment to Africa and its strategic interests. This visit marks Biden's only trip to Africa during his presidency and is expected to be his final foreign engagement in office.

During this visit, he intends to highlight the corridor's potential to attract private investment and provide access to critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies, thereby countering China's extensive investments throughout the continent. China has been a dominant player in Angola, known for constructing infrastructure such as shopping malls and housing that have positively impacted local employment and economic development.

Cristina Nambendi, an Angolan farmer, reiterated the prevailing sentiment towards China, expressing her admiration for their substantial contributions to infrastructure. "They are building tall buildings and houses, and they are selling stuff," she noted, showcasing a stark contrast in awareness of U.S. and Chinese initiatives.

While the Lobito Corridor is hailed as a pivotal American project, local skepticism remains regarding the timeline and tangible benefits of U.S. investments, which aim to foster private-sector growth rather than immediate infrastructure projects. This approach has raised concerns about the effectiveness of U.S. competition in regions where China has long established its presence.

With Biden's forthcoming visit, heavily emphasized as a counterweight to the increasing Chinese influence, the question lingers: can the United States successfully carve out its space in Africa's burgeoning economic landscape?