Biden’s Historic Visit to Angola Marks New Era in U.S.-Africa Economic and Strategic Relations

By Adonis Byemelwa

In a historic moment for U.S.-Africa relations, President Joe Biden has made his first visit to Angola, the first sitting U.S. president to step foot in the country. The three-day trip, beginning in Luanda, underscores a renewed commitment to strengthen ties with Africa, a region increasingly pivotal on the global stage.

Biden’s visit arrives at a critical juncture as he seeks to solidify his legacy, counter China’s growing influence, and expand economic partnerships in Africa.

Biden’s journey follows a significant Oval Office meeting in November 2023 with Angola’s President João Lourenço, where the two leaders set the stage for a deepened partnership.

President Biden's historic visit to Angola is a powerful reminder of the deep, enduring ties between the United States and Angola, forged in a shared past and focused on a future of growth and collaboration.

With nearly 12 million Americans of Angolan descent, the bonds of family, community, and history continue to shape both nations. This visit strengthens economic ties, builds on a shared vision for global security, and reaffirms a commitment to addressing the painful legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.

The United States is supporting Angola’s efforts to honor this history, including backing the Kwanza Corridor’s Unesco World Heritage site nomination and committing $229,000 to restore Angola’s National Slavery Museum.

These efforts reflect a deep mutual respect for the past while looking ahead to a future rooted in reconciliation, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections.

The ongoing partnership between the two nations is also seen in the growing relationship between the City of Hampton, Virginia, and the city of Malanje in Angola, solidified by a Sister City agreement signed in September 2024.

In Luanda, Biden and Lourenço convened at the Presidential Palace to discuss a range of strategic issues, including the transformation of Angola into a trade and logistics hub. The agenda reflects both nations’ interest in leveraging Angola’s strategic location and rich resources to drive economic growth.

The collaboration is part of a broader U.S. strategy, initiated during the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, to boost two-way trade and investment that benefits citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.

Tomorrow, Biden will travel to the coastal city of Lobito, home to a key port central to U.S.-Angola trade relations. There, he will attend the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor Summit alongside leaders from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, and Tanzania.

The summit aims to accelerate the development of the $800 million U.S.-backed railway project connecting Angola, Zambia, and the DRC.

This corridor is seen as a vital economic artery, enabling faster exports of cobalt, copper, and other critical minerals crucial for electric vehicle batteries.

By bolstering this infrastructure, the U.S. seeks to position itself as a stronger competitor to China, which has long dominated mineral supply chains in Africa.

Angola’s evolving relationship with Washington marks a significant shift in its geopolitical stance. Historically aligned with Russia during its civil war and heavily reliant on Chinese loans for infrastructure, Angola has in recent years pursued closer ties with the U.S. under Lourenço’s leadership.

The U.S. has reciprocated by increasing investment and cooperation. In 2023, bilateral trade reached $1.77 billion, making Angola the U.S.’s fourth-largest trade partner in sub-Saharan Africa. Lourenço’s administration has also championed democratic reforms and economic diversification, signaling a break from Angola’s tumultuous past.

Several initiatives highlight the growing U.S.-Angola partnership. The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has enabled Angola to benefit from preferential trade terms since 2004. Recently, the U.S.
Department of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Angola to formalize the U.S.-Angola Commercial and Investment Partnership, creating pathways for more streamlined business collaboration.

In 2025, a Sub-Saharan Africa Rail and Port Trade Mission will further connect U.S. companies with investment opportunities in Angola and South Africa, particularly in the rail and port sectors.

The collaboration extends to the agricultural sector, with a U.S. Department of Agriculture trade mission to Angola in February 2024 generating $13.3 million in projected sales.

In the aviation industry, a deal between Boeing and Angolan airline TAAG saw the purchase of four new 787 aircraft, enhancing connectivity and trade opportunities.

Meanwhile, through the Prosper Africa initiative, U.S. businesses have closed $6.9 billion worth of deals in Angola since 2021.
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has played a critical role, financing $2.9 billion in Angola for renewable energy, infrastructure, and telecommunications projects since 2022.

One notable project is a $363 million loan to Acrow Bridge Corporation for rural bridge infrastructure, expected to improve connectivity and livelihoods. These investments not only strengthen Angola’s infrastructure but also create thousands of U.S.-based jobs.

Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. Angola faces criticism over human rights concerns, including recent crackdowns on protests and inflation-related grievances.
While Biden’s visit underlines economic collaboration, some analysts caution against ignoring these issues, arguing that the U.S. must balance its strategic interests with its commitment to democracy and human rights.

The trip also highlights the competitive landscape in Africa. China remains Angola’s largest trade partner, with significant stakes in its infrastructure and mining sectors. Russia, too, has historical ties to Angola and has maintained influence.

Biden’s visit signals Washington’s intent to reclaim ground by offering a model of partnership centered on mutual benefit rather than debt dependency.

The Lobito Corridor, central to Biden’s visit, exemplifies this approach. Funded by the U.S., European Union, African Development Bank, and private consortiums, the corridor aims to unlock mineral wealth while fostering regional connectivity.

Portuguese firm Trafigura, leading the project, shipped its first container of minerals to the U.S. via Lobito in August 2024. However, the U.S. faces competition from China, which operates the parallel Tanzania-Zambia Railway and has long invested in African infrastructure through its Belt and Road Initiative.

Biden’s trip also carries symbolic weight. It is his first bilateral visit to Africa as president and comes weeks before he is set to leave office. Critics argue the timing reflects a missed opportunity to engage earlier in his term, particularly given Africa’s growing global influence.

Nevertheless, the visit reinforces the U.S.’s commitment to the continent, which boasts a young, rapidly growing population and 54 United Nations votes.

The broader context includes Biden’s efforts to elevate Africa’s role on the international stage. In September 2023, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20—a milestone in U.S.-Africa diplomacy.

However, proposals to secure permanent seats for African nations on the UN Security Council remain contentious, with debates over veto power reflecting ongoing disparities in global governance.

Biden’s visit is a defining moment, offering a glimpse into the potential of U.S.-Africa relations. As he tours Lobito’s port and meets regional leaders, he underscores a vision of partnership that prioritizes shared prosperity and sustainable development.

As Biden’s visit unfolds, it signals a renewed commitment to not only strengthening trade and investment but also deepening the cultural and human connections that bind the U.S. and Angola, ensuring that the past is honored and the future is built on shared hope and collaboration.

Whether this legacy endures will depend on the continuity of U.S. engagement under future administrations. For now, Biden’s presence in Angola is a heartening step toward a deeper, more equitable connection between the U.S. and Africa.