Back Next

The New Scramble for Africa:
U.S. and China Face Off Over the Continent’s Future

Africa has once again become the stage for a global power contest - this time between the United States and China, with stakes measured not in colonies, but in cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. These minerals are the backbone of electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced defense technologies, making Africa a critical player in the 21st-century economy.

According to Newsweek, China has established a dominant position, with 52 of Africa’s 54 countries trading more with Beijing than Washington. Chinese investments in infrastructure, mining, and manufacturing have cemented its influence over decades, leaving the U.S. racing to catch up. The battle is not merely economic - it’s about securing strategic supply chains that will determine global technological leadership.

Central to this rivalry is Angola, a nation crucial to Africa’s energy and mining sectors. Prominent investor Haim Taib, speaking to Angola24Horas, described a U.S. push to “remove the Chinese from the place they have occupied,” signaling a more aggressive American approach to winning influence. This isn’t just diplomacy - it’s an on-the-ground rivalry playing out through infrastructure projects, financing deals, and political engagement.

Washington has already begun backing initiatives like the Lobito Corridor, a transcontinental railway and port network designed to facilitate mineral exports from Angola and the resource-rich interior. Such projects aim to provide African nations with alternatives to Chinese-backed ventures, while deepening U.S. economic ties.

For African leaders - and especially for Angola, whose oil and mineral wealth make it a strategic prize - this rivalry offers both opportunities and risks. Competing bids from two superpowers could bring infrastructure and investment, but also entangle countries in a larger geopolitical struggle. As the race for resources intensifies, Angola’s role highlights how Africa’s mineral-rich lands are no longer just about local development - they are the front lines of a global competition shaping the next era of industry and power.

An LC (Loading Certificate) is mandatory for all shipments to Angola.

The R&C Desk simplifies the process and provides efficient assistance to comply with the latest requirements.
For further assistance, the R&C Desk website is available 24/7.