President Joe Biden has embarked on his first visit to Africa as president, fulfilling a promise he made two years ago during the U.S.-Africa Summit in Washington. The trip includes a primary stop in Angola and a brief visit to Cabo Verde. However, analysts in Africa believe the timing of this visit diminishes its impact, with some questioning the focus on Angola given its troubling human rights record.
White House officials emphasized Biden’s eagerness to connect with the continent, but some experts argue the trip should have occurred earlier in his presidency. Louw Nel, a senior political analyst for Oxford Economics Africa, shared his perspective from South Africa.
“I think this trip feels less significant because it comes so late in Biden’s presidency, especially after his decision not to run for a second term. It feels like an afterthought,” said Nel.
After a brief stop in Cabo Verde, Biden will head to Angola, where the agenda centers on U.S. leadership in trade, investment, and infrastructure development in Africa. He plans to highlight Angola’s role as a regional leader and global partner in areas such as trade, security, and health.
A major focus of the visit is the Lobito Corridor project, a regional railway initiative aimed at linking Angola’s Lobito port with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. This ambitious infrastructure project, part of a broader international effort, seeks to bridge infrastructure gaps in emerging economies.
Dr. Frances Brown, a senior director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, underscored the project’s significance beyond transportation.
“What’s remarkable about the Lobito Corridor is that it’s not just about critical minerals or railroads. It’s about strengthening communities, improving access to education, boosting agricultural trade, and increasing digital connectivity,” said Brown.
Angola, Africa’s third-largest oil producer, has substantial mineral wealth, making it the U.S.’s fourth-largest trade partner in Sub-Saharan Africa last year. While trade between the two nations has grown, critics argue Angola’s natural resources have not translated into prosperity for its people. Amnesty International notes that many Angolans still face poverty, unemployment, and high living costs, which have fueled peaceful protests.
Some, like Nel, see Biden’s visit as an opportunity for Angola to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas.
“This visit could help Angola move towards economic diversification, which is critical for its future,” Nel said.
However, human rights advocates and opposition groups are less optimistic. Critics see Biden’s trip as a reward for the Lourenço administration despite concerns about shrinking freedoms and increasing repression of civil society. Amnesty International has reported that critics of President João Lourenço’s government face arbitrary detention, urging Biden to address these violations during his visit.
Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique, praised Angola for hosting Biden but called on the U.S. president to confront Lourenço on human rights abuses.
“I commend Angola and President Lourenço for hosting this visit. However, I encourage President Biden to ask the tough questions. Many human rights defenders in Angola are unjustly detained, and some are in critical condition,” Nuvunga said.
While Biden’s visit underscores the importance of U.S.-Africa relations, its timing and focus have drawn mixed reactions. For some, it offers a chance to boost economic cooperation and infrastructure development. For others, it raises concerns about the U.S. prioritizing strategic partnerships over accountability for human rights. As Biden engages with Angola’s leadership, the challenge will be balancing these competing priorities.
