Richard Parks US President Joe Biden has begun a three-day visit to Angola, aiming to deepen US ties with the oil-rich nation and counter China’s growing influence in Africa. The trip, Biden’s first to Sub-Saharan Africa, highlights Angola’s importance in global energy and mineral markets.
Energy and Economic Collaboration
Angola, Africa’s second-largest oil producer, holds significant crude reserves and is a hub for international energy giants like TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil. Biden’s visit aims to encourage US investments in Angola’s energy sector, aligning with President-elect Donald Trump’s pro-fossil fuel stance. The visit comes amid global oil market challenges, including oversupply concerns and price volatility.
Strategic Railway and Resource Security
Biden is also promoting the US-backed Lobito Corridor, a railway linking Angola, the DRC, and Zambia, designed to transport critical minerals like copper and cobalt essential for clean energy technologies. The project is part of a broader US strategy to reduce reliance on China for vital resources.
Biden’s trip underscores Angola’s strategic importance and reinforces US commitment to fostering partnerships in energy, infrastructure, and economic development.