Biden to Visit Angola, His First Trip to Africa as President

Photo : Reuters

President Joe Biden is set to visit Angola in the coming weeks, marking his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa during his presidency. This visit will be the first by a sitting U.S. president to the continent since Barack Obama’s tour in 2015. The trip is expected to occur after the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September and before the U.S. presidential election on November 5, according to sources familiar with the itinerary.

Originally planned for late last year, Biden's visit to Angola was postponed due to the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The White House has yet to confirm the exact timing of the trip.

The visit underscores Biden's intention to strengthen partnerships with African nations, particularly as China expands its investments in the region. Angola, known for its significant oil and natural resources, has become a focal point for U.S. diplomatic and economic interests in Africa.

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In November 2023, Biden hosted Angolan President João Lourenço at the White House, where they discussed the potential visit. The U.S. is also involved in supporting a major infrastructure project aimed at connecting the Democratic Republic of Congo to Angola’s Lobito port via rail, which is intended to enhance regional transportation and trade.

Biden has faced criticism for not traveling to Africa earlier in his presidency, despite hosting the U.S.-Africa Summit in 2022. However, other high-ranking U.S. officials, such as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have visited Africa in recent years.

Biden’s upcoming Angola visit will occur just weeks before the U.S. presidential election, which is shaping up to be a close contest between Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump