Official announcements from African governments; reports from international development organizations

President Biden's Historic Angola Visit Aims to Counter China's Influence with Lobito Corridor Project

Dec 2, 2024, 03:45 PM

President Joe Biden has embarked on his first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa, arriving in Angola on December 2 after a brief stop in the island nation of Cabo Verde. The three-day trip from December 2 through December 4 begins with a bilateral meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço in Luanda. The focal point of the visit is the U.S.-backed Lobito Corridor, an ambitious 1,100-mile railway project connecting Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. The project aims to facilitate the export of critical minerals, diversifying supply chains and reducing dependence on China's infrastructure investments in Africa. Biden's visit underscores U.S. efforts to counter China's growing influence by offering alternative partnerships and investments in African development. This historic trip marks the first time a sitting U.S. president has visited Angola, signaling the importance of Africa in global strategic relations.