Dr. Frances Brown, Special Assistant to the President for African Affairs, stated that this visit is part of a strategy recognizing that “it is impossible to tackle the great challenges of our time without Africa’s contributions and leadership.”
Biden’s visit aims to achieve several strategic objectives. “We have three primary goals,” Dr. Brown explained: “to showcase U.S. leadership in trade and investment, to highlight Angola’s regional influence, and to celebrate the remarkable progress in U.S.-Angola relations.”
The United States has already invested over 80 percent of the $55 billion pledged during the 2022 African Leaders Summit, making Angola the fourth largest U.S. trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Lobito Corridor: A key initiative
A central focus of the visit will be the Lobito Corridor, an ambitious regional infrastructure project. Helaina R. Matza, coordinator of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, emphasized that this initiative goes beyond simply a rail line or vital minerals; it aims to strengthen communities, enhance access to education, promote agricultural market connections, and improve digital connectivity.
The American strategy reflects a commitment to giving partner countries choices. “We don’t compel countries to choose; rather, we encourage them to make their own sovereign decisions,” Dr. Brown affirmed. Matza added that the objective is to foster “a race to the top for these investments by facilitating market access.”
Discussions during the visit are expected to cover an array of topics. Dr. Brown highlighted that President Biden “does not shy away from discussing the necessity for ongoing efforts in democracy.” Matza underscored the importance of exhibiting “an investment model in which collaboration with partners is paramount.”
This visit represents a pivotal moment in which the United States acknowledges Africa’s strategic significance, proposing an investment model founded on partnership and respect for local priorities. “We have achieved a great deal together, and I look forward to seeing where this partnership leads us in the future,” Dr. Brown concluded.
AC/lb/abj/APA