President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. held a meeting today with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola at the White House. The leaders discussed avenues to deepen the relationship between the two countries, exploring areas of future collaboration while addressing regional and global challenges.
A focal point of the discussions was the substantial U.S. economic investment in Angola, notably through the President’s flagship Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) in the Lobito Corridor.
This initiative has seen over a billion dollars in U.S. financing committed this year alone, supporting various projects such as the construction of over 180 rural bridges, upgrading digital connectivity with a focus on 4G and 5G technologies, introducing Angola’s first-ever mobile money application, and integrating 500 megawatts of solar power into the national grid.
An additional billion dollars has been mobilized for the largest rail investment in Africa in U.S. history, aligning with Angola’s ambition to become a net food exporter by 2027 and enhancing regional food security.
Both President Biden and President Lourenço expressed a commitment to expanding their partnership on issues crucial to their shared future.
These include strengthening democracy, energy production and exportation, and space cooperation. A U.S.–Angola Energy Security Dialogue is set to launch in 2024, focusing on securing a stable energy supply and fostering deeper commercial ties while advancing mutual climate goals.
President Biden commended President Lourenço for Angola’s signing of the Artemis Accords, a step forward in the common vision of space exploration for the benefit of humankind. Angola’s participation in the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation was also acknowledged.
The leaders resolved to address global challenges together, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The meeting highlighted the substantial progress achieved in the 30-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations, underlining President Biden’s commitment to Africa as outlined at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit last year.
