US President to strengthen Africa ties with first visit to Angola

U.S. President Joe Biden will make his first visit to Angola while in office next month, the White House announced on Tuesday, September 24. The trip, set for October 13-15, will take him to Angola, where he will engage in discussions aimed at deepening economic cooperation and enhancing security relations with President Joao Lourenco.

Before arriving in Angola, Biden will travel to Berlin to reaffirm strong alliances with Germany and express gratitude for their support of Ukraine in its defense against Russia. His visit to Angola marks a significant step in reinforcing U.S.-Africa ties and expanding collaborative opportunities across sectors such as trade and infrastructure.

One of the key topics on the agenda in Angola is a vision for a transcontinental rail project that would connect the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, potentially fostering economic growth and regional integration. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted that Biden’s visit highlights the evolving U.S.-Angola partnership and the administration’s commitment to working with African countries to address shared challenges.

Also Read: Senegal mourns Professor Amadou Mahtar Mbow

This visit fulfills Biden’s pledge, made during a summit with African leaders in Washington in 2022, to prioritize engagement with the continent. Although his trip was delayed due to the Israel-Hamas conflict last year, the U.S. president has continued to emphasize strengthening ties with African democracies. In parallel, he has announced U.S. support of $500 million and 1 million mpox vaccines to help African nations combat the ongoing outbreak.

The upcoming trip underscores the administration’s broader strategy to counter China’s growing influence in Africa, while building lasting partnerships based on mutual benefit.