LUANDA: President Joe Biden arrived in Luanda on Monday afternoon for a three-day state visit, aimed at consolidating the strategic partnership between the United States and Angola. The President’s official aircraft, ‘Air Force One’, touched down at February 4 International Airport at 5:30 pm, marking the beginning of his visit at the invitation of Angolan President João Lourenço.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Biden was welcomed by Angola’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, at the Presidential Complex of the 04 de Fevereiro International Airport. The reception committee included James Story, the Chargé d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador of the United States to Angola, and Agostinho Van-Dúnem, the Angolan Ambassador to the United States, along with other dignitaries from both governments.
The visit underscores Angola’s growing significance as a regional leader and seeks to reaffirm and transform the bilateral relationship. The agenda focuses on addressing critical challenges such as infrastru
cture development in Africa, economic opportunities, and sustainable development. Both countries are also prioritizing the expansion of technological and scientific cooperation, peace and security, and food security.
During the visit, Biden aims to evaluate current agreements and explore new investment opportunities, particularly involving the private sector. A significant meeting with President João Lourenço is scheduled for Tuesday, where future bilateral cooperation strategies will be discussed. Biden will also visit the National Museum of Slavery in Luanda, delivering a speech to emphasize the strong U.S.-Angola relations and their joint efforts in tackling global challenges.
The National Museum of Slavery, inaugurated in 1997 and located in Morro da Cruz, serves as an essential cultural heritage site in Angola, preserving the memory of the 500 years of slavery endured by Angolans. It houses valuable historical artifacts that recount this period.
On Wednesday, Biden’s itinerary includes a visit to Beng
uela province, where he will tour the Grupo Carrinho factory and the Port of Lobito, a crucial infrastructure of the Lobito Corridor. The port, established in 1928, is a significant seaport complex and the endpoint of the Benguela Railway, facilitating cargo transport from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Biden’s schedule in Benguela also features participation in the Angola/US Business Forum, highlighting economic collaboration. The President is set to depart from Catumbela airport in Benguela province on Wednesday.
Angola and the U.S. have strengthened their strategic partnership over three decades, resulting in numerous legal agreements in social, commercial, and business domains. Under President João Lourenço’s leadership since 2017, Angola has redefined its foreign relations, fostering closer ties with the United States.
Biden’s visit is seen as an opportunity to attract American investors to Angola, leveraging the improved business climate to diversify investments. Both nations seek to establish mut
ual platforms of understanding that align with their respective people’s realities, offering mutual benefits and expanding cooperation in infrastructure, trade, industry, agriculture, health, media, transport, and food security.