China’s Big Win: How the U.S. Lost Africa

For decades, the United States has been struggling to make a significant impact in Africa, while China has steadily expanded its influence across the continent. Successive U.S. administrations have failed to prioritize Africa, creating a power vacuum that China has skillfully filled. As a result, Beijing has become a dominant economic and political partner for many African countries, while Washington's influence continues to wane.

Recently, U.S. President Joe Biden visited Angola, marking his first trip to Africa since taking office. However, this visit comes at a critical time and raises questions about the U.S.'s commitment to the continent. It has been nearly a decade since any U.S. president visited sub-Saharan Africa, a striking indication of how low Africa has been on Washington’s list of priorities. This long absence has sent a clear message: Africa was not a priority for the U.S., and in the meantime, China has seized the opportunity to establish strong ties across the region.

China's success in Africa is the result of years of strategic investments in crucial sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and trade. Initiatives like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) have allowed China to align its development projects with Africa’s growth needs, positioning itself as a key partner in the continent's modernization efforts. From building roads, railways, and ports to funding energy projects and providing concessional loans, China has shown a long-term commitment to Africa's development.

In contrast, the United States has struggled to offer competitive alternatives. Although Washington pledged millions for renewable energy access in Africa, these efforts have been overshadowed by China's multibillion-dollar investments in green energy projects across the continent. Moreover, while the U.S. has repeatedly criticized Chinese lending practices and raised concerns over African debt, it has failed to increase its own foreign investment flows to support debt-stricken African economies. This has only pushed these countries further into China's economic orbit.

Political uncertainty in the U.S. has also played a role in hindering its influence in Africa. Biden's visit to Angola comes just a few weeks before the U.S. presidential elections, which could bring former President Donald Trump back into office. During his term, Trump largely ignored Africa and dismissed it as a foreign policy priority. If he were to return, Biden's ambitious plan to invest $55 billion in Africa by 2025 could be at risk, as it requires consistent engagement and follow-through, something that has been lacking in U.S. policy toward Africa for years.

Meanwhile, China remains free of such political constraints. At the recent FOCAC summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged nearly $51 billion in financing for Africa over the next three years. China has established itself as sub-Saharan Africa’s top trading partner and continues to deepen its engagement with 53 African countries, outpacing U.S. efforts. Beijing’s ability to maintain consistent policies and deliver tangible benefits makes it a more reliable partner for African nations looking for stable and long-term development support.

Biden’s visit to Angola was also aimed at promoting the U.S.-backed Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), which is seen as a countermeasure to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Africa. The PGII's flagship project, the Lobito Corridor, aims to enhance railway connectivity between Angola’s Lobito port, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia. This initiative is intended to provide an alternative to the BRI by improving regional trade and infrastructure.

However, the PGII faces significant challenges. Biden has focused on engaging only a few countries like Angola, the DRC, Tanzania, and Zambia, while 52 African nations are actively involved in the BRI. This selective engagement limits the scope of U.S. influence. Moreover, to strengthen the PGII’s appeal, the U.S. must address Africa’s longstanding grievances, such as lifting sanctions on countries like Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. Removing these sanctions could promote social development and win more trust among African Union (AU) states.

The AU plays a crucial role in shaping Africa’s regional development priorities and economic integration. As such, the U.S. needs to enhance its cooperation with the AU to effectively tackle shared challenges like economy, food security, health, climate, and governance across the continent. For the PGII to succeed, it must expand its focus beyond the critical minerals supply chain and include broader regional infrastructure and energy development that benefits a larger number of African nations.

Without a comprehensive and inclusive approach, the U.S. will continue to struggle against China’s well-established presence in Africa. Biden's Angola visit, though significant, may not be enough to reverse years of missed opportunities and limited engagement. It will require consistent effort, strategic investments, and a genuine partnership to rebuild U.S. influence and demonstrate that it values Africa for more than just its resources.