Lobito Corridor at centre of Biden’s agenda in Angola visit

President Joe Biden announced that he will visit Africa in October, marking his first trip to the continent as US president. This visit is significant because he will not run for re-election in November.

During a meeting with Kenya’s President William Ruto in May, Biden mentioned a possible visit starting in January 2025. However, political changes in Washington prompted him to adjust this plan.

Angola will be one of the countries he visits, and it hopes to present itself as a successful democracy, especially amid concerns about its human rights record. Recently, Amnesty International urged Angola to release four activists who have been unjustly imprisoned for a year, with their health suffering as a result.

Human Rights Watch also criticized President João Lourenço for signing two new laws that do not align with international human rights standards, which could limit media freedom and public expression.

Despite these issues, Angola is seen positively in Washington. The US has identified Luanda as a vital part of the Lobito Corridor, a major infrastructure project aimed at competing with China for minerals in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.

Biden’s visit, set for October 13-15, will focus on enhancing cooperation on key issues. The agenda includes strengthening economic ties, discussing a major project involving the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, and promoting democracy, climate security, and peace.

Political analyst José Gama suggests that this meeting could provide a chance for Biden to encourage President Lourenço to improve democracy and human rights in Angola.

This visit is notable for Angolan diplomats because it will be the first time a US president visits Angola since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975. It also comes as Angola prepares to host the US-Africa Business Summit next year, which is expected to draw over 1,500 participants, including heads of state.

Observers in Luanda see this as a sign of growing US interest in Angola, especially compared to China and Russia. Angola owes a significant debt to China, and Russia has been a major arms supplier during Angola’s civil war.

Biden met with Lourenço at the White House last November, which marked 30 years of diplomatic relations between the US and Angola. Osvaldo Mboco, another political analyst, believes Biden’s visit highlights Angola’s importance on the global stage and indicates that Lourenço’s leadership is gaining recognition.

Before the official announcement, there was much speculation about the visit on social media. The US Mission in Luanda confirmed the visit last week, increasing excitement among the public.

The Angolan presidency stated that the discussions will focus on the Lobito Corridor project and issues related to peace and security. Leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia are expected to join Biden and Lourenço since they are also involved in the Lobito Corridor initiative.

The Lobito Corridor is a multinational effort aimed at promoting economic development through investments in Angola, the DRC, and Zambia. The US has committed over $3 billion to the project in various sectors, such as transportation, agriculture, clean energy, and digital access.

William Butterfield from USAID emphasized the US’s commitment to supporting infrastructure development in Africa. In January, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reviewed the project’s progress during his visit to Angola.

In terms of trade, US exports to Angola were $595 million in 2023, which is an 8.8% drop from 2022. Meanwhile, imports from Angola totaled $1.2 billion, down 26.8% from the previous year. Angola is Africa’s second-largest oil producer and one of its fastest-growing economies, but it has faced economic challenges since 2015 due to falling oil prices.