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During what is expected to be his final trip abroad as president, Biden will visit Angola to explore the country’s history and economic potential. His agenda includes a visit to a slavery museum and a showcase of a rail corridor, which is a key element of his administration’s regional strategy.
Written by Zolan Kanno-Youngs
Zolan Kanno-Youngs reports on White House news and will be accompanying President Biden on Air Force One during his trip to Angola.
President Biden will finally start his trip to Africa on Sunday night by traveling to Angola. The purpose of his visit is to recognize the difficult history between the two countries and to demonstrate a commitment to future economic investment.
President Biden’s visit to Africa marks the first time a sitting American president has visited the continent since Barack Obama’s trip to Kenya and Ethiopia in 2015.
Mr. Biden’s visit to Africa is likely his final overseas trip as President. He promised in 2022 to visit the continent to show the United States’ commitment to Africa’s future. After some delays, he is now on a three-day diplomatic tour of Angola. During his visit, he will tour a slavery museum and highlight a rail corridor that showcases his administration’s economic strategy in the region.
A project called the Lobito Corridor, which is worth $1 billion, aims to connect Angola with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These countries have valuable minerals needed for making batteries for smartphones and electric vehicles. President Biden is promoting this project to enhance American access to these important resources in Africa and to counter China’s increasing presence on the continent.
Even though the Biden administration is making efforts to strengthen relationships, the United States is still falling behind China and Russia in terms of economic and security influence in Africa, as stated by experts in foreign policy.
Tibor P. Nagy Jr., a former ambassador to Africa appointed by both President Bill Clinton and the Trump administration, highlighted the lack of focus on post-colonial Africa as a significant issue. He criticized administrations for creating ambitious African strategies that lack substance, likening it to the phrase "Where is the beef?" used in an old advertisement.
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