US in new efforts to consolidate Africa ties

For sure, the increased competition does not mean the world’s biggest economy is throwing in the African towel, especially given that Angola, for instance, accounts for 7 per cent of its oil imports.

Fight harder

It is more likely that US companies will have to fight harder to get what they want, to the benefit of African countries now offered a wider range of potential sources of investment, said Razia Khan, head of Africa research at Standard Chartered in London.

“There is some sense of the US having to do more to underscore its relevance in the continent,” Khan said.

“But it is difficult to argue that the influence of one power is rising at the expense of the other. Africa’s policymakers prefer a more multilateral approach, with a number of development partners and a number of options open to them.”

Clinton’s trip takes in Kenya, South Africa, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde.