President Joe Biden set off from the United States on Sunday night, beginning a significant journey to Angola that underscores his commitment to strengthening ties with Africa before his term ends in January. The trip, following his pledge at the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, marks a crucial step in reaffirming the United States’ engagement with the continent, amid growing influence from China and Russia.
Biden’s flight, which took off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland just after 10 p.m. EST, will include a brief refueling stop in Sal, Cabo Verde, on Monday morning. There, he is scheduled to meet with Cabo Verde’s Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. Following this, Biden will proceed to Luanda, where he is expected to arrive around 6 p.m. local time. The president’s visit will make him the first sitting U.S. president to visit Angola, and the first since President Barack Obama’s trip to Africa in 2015.
The visit, described by Biden administration officials as “historic,” aims to deepen the United States’ diplomatic and economic relations with Angola, while also addressing broader regional concerns. With both China and Russia expanding their economic and geopolitical presence across the continent, Biden’s visit is seen as a timely move to reaffirm the U.S. as a strategic partner for Africa’s growth and stability.
In Luanda, Biden will hold discussions with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, focusing on the enduring relationship between the two nations. Biden is expected to emphasize the U.S.’s commitment to helping Angola and other African nations close the infrastructure gap, promote economic opportunities, and advance technological and scientific cooperation. The president will also address efforts to bolster security and regional peace across Africa.
During the trip, Biden is anticipated to announce a series of high-profile agreements, including 12 major deals with Angola valued at $6.9 billion. These deals will span various sectors, such as agribusiness, infrastructure development, and security cooperation. Biden will also express strong support for Angola’s nomination of the Kwanza Corridor for UNESCO World Heritage status, highlighting the importance of preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Senior officials noted that Biden’s trip is designed to offer a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in Africa, particularly as China has invested billions of dollars in the continent’s infrastructure and development projects. While the Biden administration does not oppose Chinese investments, it emphasizes that these should lead to tangible benefits for African communities, with higher standards and greater transparency. Biden’s visit is framed as an opportunity for the U.S. to present itself as an alternative, offering sustainable, high-quality investments that prioritize the long-term development of African nations.
Biden is scheduled to return to the United States on Thursday, concluding a visit that underscores the U.S.’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its partnerships in Africa and support the continent’s economic and social progress in the face of growing global competition.