There’s a growing focus on Africa, turning it into a stage where global powers flex their economic muscles. Substantial infrastructure projects are sprouting across the continent, with Angola emerging as a new hotspot. China has been bankrolling major endeavours in mining, roads, airports, railways, warehousing, and more. However, there’s a cautious optimism about the long-term implications and potential burdens when it comes to repaying Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
In a meeting at the Oval Office with Angolan President Joao Lourenco, President Biden expressed his intention to revisit Angola, stating, “I have been there, and I will be back.” Yet, the specific date for the visit remains undisclosed, with the White House providing no further details.
During this visit, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola signed the Artemis Accords, reinforcing Angola’s commitment to deep space exploration and global collaboration. This move positions Angola as the third African country and the 33rd nation globally to endorse the accord, following the footsteps of Nigeria and Rwanda, who signed it in December 2022.
The Artemis Accord is a guiding framework, rooted in the principles of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. Its aim is to create a secure and transparent environment that promotes exploration, scientific endeavours, and commercial activities for the collective benefit of humanity. Angola’s participation in this agreement reflects its dedication to contributing to the shared vision of peaceful and responsible exploration beyond Earth. With a satellite program backed by Russia, Angola has played a significant role in space-related initiatives.
The leaders also discussed other potential areas of collaboration and investment, such as solar energy, infrastructure development, and space exploration. These spheres of interest place the Biden administration in direct competition with China and align with its efforts to counter Russia.
“Africa: 1 billion people. Critically important,” Biden emphasised before the Oval Office meeting. “No country more important than Angola.”
The U.S. has been actively supporting a project that connects the resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo to the port of Lobito in Angola through a rail network. This initiative aims to sidestep road congestion and prevent delays in the transportation of copper and cobalt.
Expressing his eagerness to visit the continent, Biden, at a Washington summit of African leaders, stated, “I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in your home countries.” While Biden briefly attended a climate conference in Egypt last year, Vice President Kamala Harris embarked on a week-long trip to Africa in March, visiting Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties. In Tanzania, Harris pledged $500 million to support infrastructure, transportation, digital technology, and clean energy.
