President Biden Arrives in Angola for Africa Visit
President Joe Biden has arrived in Angola on Monday for his first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa. Thousands lined the streets of Luanda as he arrived. His trip follows a brief stop in Cape Verde for a meeting with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. In Angola, Biden will meet with President João Lourenço, visit the National Slavery Museum, and tour a rail project in Lobito.
Biden’s visit marks the latest effort to strengthen U.S.-Africa ties, though it was delayed several times. The last U.S. president to visit sub-Saharan Africa was Barack Obama in 2015. Biden has focused on Africa since taking office, with notable visits from other officials, like Vice President Kamala Harris.
A key focus of Biden’s trip is the Lobito Corridor, a major railway project aimed at improving infrastructure and competing with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The U.S. has committed $3 billion to the project, with further financing from international partners. Although the project won’t be completed during Biden’s presidency, its future depends on continued U.S. engagement and political shifts, especially with Donald Trump preparing to take office.
The Lobito Corridor will connect southern Africa’s mineral-rich regions to Angola’s Atlantic port, providing crucial access for critical minerals like cobalt, largely controlled by China. Biden’s administration hopes the project will enhance U.S. influence in Africa, offering an alternative to China’s dominance in the region.
Biden’s visit also aims to strengthen U.S.-Angola relations, marked by U.S. diplomatic successes in securing the Lobito project despite China’s significant ties with Angola. The trip underscores the evolving relationship and highlights U.S. investment in health, agribusiness, and security cooperation. However, Biden faces criticism over Angola’s human rights record, adding complexity to the partnership.
