President Joe Biden made his first official visit to sub-Saharan Africa, arriving in Angola on Monday amid considerable anticipation. His trip, which comes in the final weeks of his presidency, underscores the United States’ renewed interest in fostering stronger ties with Africa. Thousands of Angolans lined the streets of Luanda, the nation’s capital, to welcome Biden as his motorcade entered the city.
Before reaching Angola, Biden stopped briefly in Cape Verde, where he held a private meeting with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. In Angola, his itinerary includes discussions with President João Lourenço, a visit to the National Slavery Museum, and a trip to the port city of Lobito to inspect a major railway project.
This visit fulfills a promise Biden made last year during the U.S.-Africa Summit, which aimed to rejuvenate relations with the continent. However, the trip’s delays, including one caused by Hurricane Milton in October, have reinforced perceptions that Africa remains a low priority for Washington. The last U.S. president to visit sub-Saharan Africa was Barack Obama in 2015, although Biden attended a United Nations climate summit in Egypt in 2022.
Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Angola, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that Biden’s visit reflects sustained engagement with Africa throughout his presidency. “This is something he has been focused on since taking office,” Kirby noted, highlighting visits by top administration officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, to various African nations.
At the heart of Biden’s visit is the Lobito Corridor, a railway upgrade project that connects Angola’s Atlantic port to the mineral-rich regions of Zambia and Congo. The 800-mile rail line, funded with $3 billion from the U.S., European Union, and other global partners, is a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s strategy to counter China’s dominance in Africa’s critical minerals sector.
The project aims to bolster Africa’s connectivity and reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains. The Lobito Corridor also represents a shift in U.S. foreign policy, marking an investment-heavy approach reminiscent of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
While Biden’s administration views the project as transformative, its ultimate success depends on the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Many analysts believe Trump, whose agenda includes countering China’s global influence, will likely support the initiative.
“As long as the Lobito Corridor remains labeled as a key tool against China in Africa, it has a strong chance of continued funding,” said Christian-Géraud Neema, an analyst specializing in China-Africa relations.
The Lobito project reflects broader diplomatic progress between the U.S. and Angola. Relations have evolved significantly since the civil war era, during which the U.S. supported anti-government rebels. Recent years have seen strengthened trade ties, with bilateral trade reaching $1.77 billion in 2023. Angola has also emerged as a regional security partner, mediating conflicts in eastern Congo and providing the U.S. with a strategic Atlantic presence.
Biden’s visit includes the announcement of new partnerships in health, agribusiness, and security cooperation. White House officials describe the trip as highlighting “the remarkable evolution of the U.S.-Angola relationship.” Frances Brown, a senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council, noted that Biden’s presence in Angola symbolizes a deeper commitment to African development and stability.
However, the visit is not without controversy. International human rights organizations have criticized Angola’s government for authoritarian tendencies, including the imprisonment and alleged torture of political opponents. While the U.S. aims to build partnerships grounded in shared values, these challenges cast a shadow over Washington’s renewed engagement with Africa.
As Biden prepares to leave office, his visit to Angola serves as both a capstone to his administration’s African outreach and a signal of potential continuity under Trump. The Lobito Corridor, still years from completion, represents a long-term investment in Africa’s development and a strategic move in the U.S.-China rivalry. Whether it delivers the transformative impact envisioned by Biden remains to be seen.
With this historic visit, Biden has reaffirmed Africa’s importance on the global stage, leaving behind a legacy that future administrations may choose to build upon.
