Luanda, Angola – President Joe Biden’s upcoming visit to Angola from December 2 to 4, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in US-Angola relations and underscores the growing partnership between the two nations. During a press briefing, Frances Brown, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, and Helaina R. Matza, Acting Special Coordinator for the Office of Global Infrastructure and Investment, provided insights into the visit’s objectives and significance.
Building on recent high-level engagements, including Biden’s bilateral meeting with President João Lourenço in November 2023 and the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in 2022, this visit seeks to deepen economic ties and position Angola as a strategic partner in Africa’s development landscape.
US-Angola trade reached $1.77 billion in 2023, placing Angola as the United States’ fourth-largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa. The bilateral relationship has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past three years, with investments focusing on infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, and digital connectivity.
The Lobito Corridor, a flagship project linking Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia, has already mobilised $5 billion in funding. This initiative is a cornerstone of regional integration, promising to reduce transportation costs, enhance trade, and unlock economic opportunities across multiple sectors.
The Lobito Corridor is a model for collaborative infrastructure development. Key components of the project include the refurbishment of 1,300 kilometres of railway from the Port of Lobito to the DRC, financed by a $550 million loan from the US Development Finance Corporation. A further 800 kilometres of greenfield railway is set to connect Angola to Zambia, reducing transit times from 45 days to less than a week. These improvements are expected to strengthen supply chains, expand access to arable land, and bolster trade in agricultural and energy products.
The visit will highlight a range of investments aimed at promoting sustainable development and regional stability. Key areas of focus include clean energy projects such as solar grids and desalination plants, supported by $2.5 billion in funding from the US Export-Import Bank. Additional efforts include expanding digital connectivity, with Africell spearheading the rollout of 5G services, and initiatives to enhance food security through agribusiness investments.
President Biden is also expected to announce further partnerships in global health, cultural heritage preservation, and security sector reform, reflecting Angola’s growing role as a regional leader in peacebuilding and economic transformation.
Angola’s strategic importance extends beyond infrastructure and trade. The country’s efforts to mediate conflicts in the DRC and its leadership on climate resilience and democratic reforms are likely to feature prominently in discussions between President Biden and President Lourenço. The visit aims to reinforce Angola’s position as a key partner in advancing regional stability and economic integration.
President Biden’s visit comes at a time of increased global competition for influence in Africa. The US approach emphasises transparent, sustainable investments as an alternative to the often-criticised practices of other powers such as China and Russia. Officials stress that the US is offering Angola and other African nations the tools to make sovereign decisions, free from coercion or dependency.
“This is not about forcing countries to choose but giving them a choice,” said Frances Brown. Helaina Matza echoed this sentiment, highlighting the US’s commitment to fostering long-term, partner-driven economic growth through initiatives like the Lobito Corridor.
As Angola prepares to welcome President Biden, expectations are high for the announcements and commitments that will follow. The visit represents a significant step in the evolving partnership between the two nations, with potential benefits extending far beyond their borders.
Biden’s visit underscores Angola’s growing importance on the global stage and sets the stage for a stronger, more integrated future for Africa.
