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During his visit to Angola as part of the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor Summit, President Joe Biden announced more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid to assist Africans displaced by severe droughts and food insecurity, alongside $600 million in new U.S. investments in infrastructure projects.
Biden emphasized his hopes that these measures will serve as a reminder of the U.S. commitment to fostering long-term African partnerships, emphasizing trade, investment, and sustainable development.
“The United States continues to be the world’s largest provider of humanitarian aid and development assistance. That’s going to increase, you know, that’s the right thing for the wealthiest nation in the world to do,” Biden said.
Hosted by the United States and Angola, the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor Summit brought together leaders from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania, and Zambia to accelerate infrastructure projects to connect the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Central to these efforts, under the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor initiative, is the Zambia-Lobito rail project, a transformative 800-kilometer line linking Angola and Zambia, with groundbreaking targeted for 2026.
Lourenço called Biden’s visit a “key turning point” in U.S.-Angola relations.
Biden agreed: “The United States is all in on Africa.”
Biden Fulfills His Promise, Lourenço Shares Priorities for U.S.-Angola Relations
President Biden fulfilled his long-promised trip to Africa after rescheduling due to Hurricane Milton’s impact on the nation.
Angola’s national and international politicians viewed the visit as a chance to bolster trade agreements with the U.S. and increase their opportunities for foreign investments while announcing the success of partnerships with the Western hemisphere.
“We want to work together attracting U.S. direct full investment to Angola, opening business and opportunity for Angolan businessmen to the U.S. market,” President João Lourenço of Angola said during a Tuesday meeting with Biden.
He requested access to military schools and training for the country’s armed forces resembling the recent partnership announced for Kenyan scholars.
“We would like to see U.S. investors engaged in construction of power transmission lines, in high-voltage under public-private partnerships for southern African countries, namely for the region of Copperbelt in Zambia and DRC, as well as for Namibia, connecting to the southern countries’ power grid,” Lourenço added referencing opportunities for communal growth amid infrastructure bids.
Driving Regional Economic Growth
The Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor is part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), a U.S.-led initiative focused on infrastructure projects that promote inclusive economic growth. Total U.S. investments in the Corridor now exceed $4 billion, with international commitments surpassing $6 billion.
Agriculture and food security remain key components of the initiative. Biden celebrated the first shipment of goods from Angola’s Carrinho Group along the Corridor to the DRC, marking a milestone in regional trade. Biden said the U.S. is also investing in sustainable farming practices and infrastructure, enabling smallholder farmers to access markets and enhance production.
“These investments aren’t just about aid; they’re about creating opportunities, building infrastructure, and unlocking the potential of this region,” Biden said during his remarks.
President Lourenço also highlighted U.S.-Angola collaborative projects that improve their ability to respond to devastating natural disasters.
“Our AngoSat 2 project is working with NASA and Maxar in acquisition of high-resolution satellite images for monitoring natural disasters, namely in the implementation of our national program of fight against the effects of droughts in the southern part of Angola, PCESSA,” the Angolan leader shared.
These intersecting projects will be presented and discussed in June 2025, when Angola hosts the U.S.-Africa Business Summit.
The nation’s officials hope that it will bring politicians, entrepreneurs, scholars, and civil society from the U.S. and Africa closer, improving the sectors of businesses, history, culture and various cross-interests.
Energy and Digital Connectivity
Clean energy projects are also at the forefront. U.S. company Sun Africa is leading efforts to expand renewable electricity to underserved communities in Angola, supported by significant U.S. financing.
Additionally, officials said investments in digital connectivity should foster technological innovation and expand access to high-speed internet across the region.
“The United States is expanding our relationship all across Africa from assistance to aid, investment to trade, moving from patrons to partners to help bridge the infrastructure gap,” Biden added.
Source: Published without changes from Washington Informer Newspaper
