US President Joe Biden is making his first visit to Angola this week, marking one of his final international engagements before leaving office. The trip, taking place from December 2 to 4, follows a postponed October visit due to Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida.
The timing of Biden’s trip comes amid a growing rivalry between the United States and China for influence in Africa, particularly in resource-rich Angola. Biden’s visit, which includes a packed schedule of military, political, and economic agreements, is seen as part of broader US efforts to strengthen ties with the country. This trip is especially significant for Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who has long sought greater international recognition. Political analyst Claudio Silva described the visit as a culmination of Lourenco’s diplomatic efforts to elevate Angola on the global stage.
A key highlight of Biden’s visit will be the advancement of economic projects, particularly the Lobito Corridor—a major infrastructure initiative aimed at connecting Angola’s Atlantic coast to the Copperbelt region of Zambia and the cobalt-rich Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The corridor, which includes the 1,344-kilometer Benguela Railway, is central to the US-backed Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), seen by many as a counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
China has long been a major player in Africa, with significant investments in Angola, including a debt of approximately $25 billion owed by Angola to China. The Lobito Corridor, backed by the US, will rival China’s investment in the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), which links central Africa to the Indian Ocean. However, China’s early and extensive investments in the region have put it ahead, raising questions about whether the US can match the Chinese efforts.
Despite US ambitions, Angola is keen to balance its relations with both superpowers. Lourenco, seeking to profit from the competition, has navigated between Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, the latter of which has also strengthened ties with Angola in recent years. In fact, Angola recently sent its foreign minister, rather than the president, to the China-Africa Cooperation summit in September, signaling a shift in its diplomatic priorities.
There is also growing speculation that Biden’s visit could signal the potential establishment of a US military presence in Angola. Analysts have suggested that the US may seek to create a network of military bases in the South Atlantic, with Angola, particularly the strategic city of Soyo, being a key location. However, the US Embassy in Luanda denied any current plans for a base.
While the visit marks a historic moment in US-Angola relations, critics argue that the promised investments may not immediately benefit Angola’s population, particularly the country’s youth, who face high unemployment rates. As international investments, including those from China and the US, continue to pour in, many fear the economic benefits will be confined to the elite, leaving Angola’s broader population untouched.
Biden’s visit to Angola underscores the geopolitical importance of the region, as the US seeks to counterbalance China’s influence while pursuing its own strategic interests in Africa. However, as with many foreign engagements, the long-term impact on the everyday lives of ordinary Angolans remains uncertain.
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