In a move long anticipated by diplomats and leaders across Africa, President Joe Biden will make his first official trip to the continent in mid-October. His journey, which includes a stop in Germany before heading to Angola, signals a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Africa. The White House confirmed Tuesday that Biden’s visit will address critical global issues while seeking to strengthen ties with African nations. This trip is seen as essential in countering China’s expanding influence across the continent.
This visit follows a pledge Biden made during the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit he hosted in Washington in late 2022. At the time, Biden promised African leaders that the U.S. would deepen its engagement with Africa, acknowledging the continent’s increasing geopolitical importance. However, despite high-level visits from Vice President Kamala Harris, First Lady Jill Biden, and several key Cabinet members in 2023, Biden’s absence had raised concerns about U.S. priorities and commitment. Now, with his long-awaited visit on the horizon, those concerns may be addressed but the stakes are higher than ever.
A Delayed Pledge, A Crucial Visit
Biden’s visit to Africa was initially seen as the culmination of an administration-wide effort to shore up relations with the continent. After promising to do so, his failure to visit Africa in 2023 left a void that U.S. rivals most notably China have sought to exploit. Through massive infrastructure projects, resource extraction, and economic partnerships, China’s growing presence in Africa has dramatically increased its influence on the continent, putting pressure on the U.S. to step up its engagement.
“President Biden’s trip to Africa is not just another diplomatic stop it is a declaration that America sees Africa as a critical player on the global stage and an essential partner in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges,” a White House official said. The visit to Angola, in particular, reflects strategic interest, as Angola is a major player in Africa’s oil and energy sector, making it a crucial ally in U.S. efforts to bolster energy security and reduce dependence on foreign oil from other parts of the world.
Countering China’s Growing Influence
Biden’s trip comes at a critical moment when China has entrenched itself as Africa’s largest trading partner, financing multi-billion-dollar projects across the continent. From massive infrastructure initiatives under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to significant investments in African resource extraction, Beijing’s footprint in Africa is undeniable and has eclipsed the U.S. in many areas of economic influence.
The U.S., while historically a key partner to many African nations, has seen its position wane in recent years. Biden’s visit is designed to send a clear message that Washington is serious about reasserting its influence and building partnerships based on shared values, rather than transactional deals. Biden will push for economic cooperation that focuses on long-term growth, innovation, governance, and sustainable development areas where China’s model of heavy infrastructure financing and debt dependency has been criticized.
“China has made considerable inroads into Africa, but we are not here for a quick profit. The U.S. stands for partnerships built on mutual respect, transparency, and long-term development,” Biden is expected to declare during his trip.
Why Angola? A Key Ally in the Energy Sector
Biden’s choice of Angola as his African destination is a strategic one. Angola is the second-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, and its role in global energy markets makes it a crucial player in the Biden administration’s efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on hostile or unstable regions. Beyond oil, Angola is a country that has seen significant economic growth and is looking to diversify its economy further into a space where U.S. trade, innovation, and investment can play a critical role.
Angola’s government, led by President João Lourenço, has been pushing significant reforms to attract foreign investment and combat corruption moves that align with the Biden administration’s agenda of promoting good governance and economic stability in Africa.
A Moment to Rebuild Trust
Biden’s trip is more than a symbolic gesture it’s an attempt to rebuild trust and deepen ties with African leaders who have felt sidelined by past U.S. administrations. While American officials have frequently highlighted Africa’s potential, critics have argued that the U.S. has been slow to follow up with concrete action. Biden’s visit offers an opportunity to reset relations, placing Africa at the center of a broader global strategy aimed at ensuring democratic stability, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.
“The time for rhetoric is over. Africa needs true partnerships that deliver results, not empty promises,” Biden is expected to assert during his address to African leaders, emphasizing that this visit marks the beginning of a more substantial and enduring U.S. commitment to the continent.
A Diplomatic Balancing Act
Biden’s upcoming visit to Africa represents more than just another stop on the president’s global itinerary it is a defining moment in U.S.-Africa relations and a test of America’s resolve to compete with China’s growing dominance on the continent. As Biden prepares to land in Angola, African leaders, global diplomats, and international observers will be watching closely to see if this long-delayed visit signals a true shift in Washington’s approach to Africa, or if it is simply another diplomatic gesture with little follow-through.
With global tensions on the rise, Biden’s ability to navigate this complex diplomatic landscape will be critical, not only for U.S.-Africa relations but for America’s standing in an increasingly multipolar world.
