Joe Biden, who currently occupies the White House, has chosen the African nation of Angola for his first official visit to the continent. Set for December 4, observers are left questioning whether the President shares the same commitment as his predecessors to America’s diplomatic ties in Africa. Historically, Biden has displayed a notable lack of engagement with Africa, both during his first term and throughout his presidential transition period prior to his inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Biden’s planned visit to the oil- and resource-abundant nation of Angola is presented as an opportunity to nurture ‘common objectives’ with Africa. Rather dubiously, these so-called mutual interests seem to be centered primarily on American corporations capitalizing on Angola’s booming economy. They also include using local Angolan firms to increase business within the U.S., specifically within oil and infrastructure segments.
Among the objectives touted is the attempt to boost digital connectivity in a way that supposedly supports Angola’s aspirations for renewable energy and food independence. One can’t help but question whether these goals genuinely align with Angola’s needs and priorities, or if they’re merely a Westernized vision of development imposed from the outside.
Biden’s trip is also meant to draw attention to the ambitious multinational Lobito Corridor rail line project. This enterprise, intending to link the Angolan port of Lobito to Zambia and thus bridge Sub-Saharan Africa, is being marketed as a collaborative effort between the U.S., the European Union, and various African nations. It comes with a price tag of a whopping $3 billion, and as it stands, it is the largest-ever rail expenditure by the U.S. in Africa.
Despite the fanfare, Biden’s reign begs the question: what will U.S.-Africa relations look like for the next four years? The reception of Biden’s election news was warm by the heads of Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. But among many African leaders and advocates, a bitter taste still lingers from derogatory comments made about Haiti and African nations in 2018.
This president’s understanding of respect is questionable. His claim of projecting respect to all, regardless of origin or political views, comes across as tokenistic in light of his actual track record. His actions, or lack thereof, in Africa seem to suggest otherwise.
With the exception of a single presidency, every U.S. president since Bill Clinton has made efforts to visit the continent aimed at promoting various areas like commerce, health, national security, economic dynamics, natural resources and more. Biden, however, seems aloof from this historical trend. Is he oblivious to the old adage that when you neglect an area of focus held for many years, you indeed lose footing?
Yes, Biden has pledged $55 billion to Africa. It seems generous on surface, but one must remain skeptical. Africa’s leaders have rightfully voiced concerns about a potential slash in aid under this president, given his patronizing ‘America First’ policy.
Biden’s visit scratches the surface of a deeper narrative, one that casts him as a disinterested party in the affairs of Africa. His administration, it seems, views the continent as little more than a economic chessboard on which to play and acquire resources.
The fact that Biden is making his first visit to Africa in his second term paints a telling picture of the president’s diplomatic priorities. Curiously, he has chosen Angola, a country known for its abundant oil reserves and other resources, fueling speculation about the true intention of this trip.
Whether the Biden administration will see Africa as a partner or merely a resource depot remains to be seen. However, given Biden’s track record and lack of cohesive Africa policy, the outlook isn’t encouraging.