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During what is expected to be his final trip abroad as president, Biden will visit Angola to explore its historical significance, particularly in relation to slavery, and to draw attention to a railway project that aligns with his administration’s economic goals for the region.
Written by Zolan Kanno-Youngs.
Zolan Kanno-Youngs is a journalist who reports on the White House and will be accompanying President Biden on Air Force One during his trip to Angola.
On Sunday night, President Biden will start his trip to Africa by visiting Angola. The purpose of his visit is to recognize the difficult history between the two nations and to show a commitment to future economic partnerships.
Mr. Biden’s visit to Africa is the initial one by a U.S. president since Barack Obama’s trip to Kenya and Ethiopia in 2015.
Mr. Biden is currently on his last international trip as President, after promising in 2022 to visit Africa to show support for the continent’s future. Despite some delays, he is now on a three-day diplomatic visit to Angola, where he will tour a slavery museum and highlight a rail corridor as a key example of his administration’s economic approach in the region.
The Lobito Corridor project, costing $1 billion, aims to connect Angola with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, countries abundant in essential minerals needed for smartphone and electric vehicle batteries. President Biden is showcasing this project to strengthen American efforts in accessing these crucial resources in Africa and to counter China’s increasing influence on the continent.
Foreign policy experts believe that, despite efforts from the Biden administration to improve relations, the United States is still falling behind China and Russia in terms of economic and security influence in Africa.
Tibor P. Nagy Jr., a former ambassador to Africa appointed by both President Bill Clinton and the Trump administration, believes that the United States has neglected Africa since the end of colonialism. He criticizes administrations for creating ambitious strategies for Africa without following through with concrete actions. Nagy compares these strategies to a misleading advertisement lacking substance.
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