U.S. President Joe Biden will make his first official visit to Africa in October, with Angola as a key stop. Initially scheduled for 2025, the trip was moved forward due to political developments in Washington, making this Biden’s first and likely only visit to Africa during his presidency.
Angola, a nation often criticized for its human rights record, has become a focal point in U.S. efforts to strengthen its presence in Africa. Despite concerns raised by groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which called attention to political detentions and laws limiting media freedom, the U.S. views Angola as an essential partner for strategic projects like the Lobito Corridor.
The Lobito Corridor, a major infrastructure project linking Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia, is designed to enhance the export of minerals and improve regional trade. It forms part of the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), which aims to counter China’s growing influence in Africa. This transcontinental rail network, which will connect the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, is a centerpiece of Biden’s discussions with Angolan President João Lourenço during the visit.
The White House has outlined key points of Biden’s agenda, including economic partnerships, democracy, climate security, and peace. The Lobito Corridor will be central to these discussions as both nations seek to attract investment in infrastructure and energy.
Angolan civil society groups are hoping the U.S. president will use the opportunity to push for reforms in democracy and human rights. José Gama, a political commentator, suggested Biden could urge Lourenço to address issues that have tarnished Angola’s international image. However, Angolan officials see Biden’s visit as a diplomatic victory, the first by a U.S. president since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975.
The visit comes ahead of the U.S.-Africa Business Summit, set to take place in Angola next year, which will bring together over 1,500 delegates, including heads of state. Analysts see this as a sign of growing U.S. interest in Angola, particularly in its strategic importance against China and Russia, which have deep-rooted ties with the country. China remains Angola’s largest creditor, while Russia has been a long-standing military ally.
In November last year, Biden hosted Lourenço at the White House, marking 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Political commentator Osvaldo Mboco said Biden’s visit demonstrates Angola’s growing importance on the global stage, particularly in U.S. foreign policy towards Africa.
The Lobito Corridor, a multinational project, has already attracted over $3 billion in investments from the U.S. in transportation, agriculture, and energy sectors. William Butterfield, a USAID representative, emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to the corridor’s development, noting it is key to economic growth in the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously reviewed the project’s progress during a visit to Angola earlier this year.
