The United States has approved a $500 million loan to Angola to rehabilitate a critical railway, signaling a shift in Washington’s engagement with Africa. The financing will support upgrades to the Lobito Corridor, a strategic rail link designed to move minerals from central Africa to Angola’s Atlantic port, boosting regional trade and supply chains. The deal reflects the White House’s push to counter China’s influence while securing access to Africa’s vast mineral wealth. More broadly, the deal highlights a pivot by the US from traditional aid toward project-based financing linked to its economic interests. While this “trade, not aid” approach advances US goals, it presents new challenges for African nations accustomed to different forms of partnership, as they now navigate evolving funding landscapes.
SEMAFOR
