U.S. President Joe Biden finally made his long-postponed trip to Angola, fulfilling his December 2022 promise to visit Africa. When the promise was initially made, there were expectations of a more substantial visit—perhaps including multiple countries—not just a single stop as a “lame duck.”

This trip served as an excellent PR opportunity for the Biden administration, with the Lobito Corridor project showcased as a U.S. initiative aimed at countering China and reasserting Washington’s presence in Africa. However, these claims deserve closer examination.