Luanda: The United States, with an official visit by outgoing President Joe Biden to Angola, is setting out to augment its influence in the African continent especially as Russian presence grows stronger and Chinese investments increase. The continent has been a geopolitical battleground between US and China, as the latter took over the biggest share of financial and economic investments. President Biden is the first American president to set foot in Angola, and the first to visit the African continent in a decade. According to Kuwait News Agency, officials of Biden's administration preceded him including his Vice Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. These visits serve as a reflection of Washington's desire to boost its diplomatic, defense and economic presence in Africa. The competition has grown fiercer with Moscow becoming a powerful player in the area as Niger opted to remove American influence and align itself with Russia. Last year, Vice-President Harris' visit toured three African countries, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia where they pledged more than USD eight billion of public and private sector investments in climate, food security, women empowerment and digitization in Africa, as per the Department of State. During the 2022 American-African Summit, Biden promised to pay a visit to the African continent, yet it took place only weeks away from the end of his time in office. The President's visit, concluding Wednesday, had been previously scheduled to take place in October but was delayed due to the devastating hurricanes affecting several states. In a statement, the White House described the three-day visit as historic, as it aims to deepen ties with Angola and reiterate the US commitment to strengthening partnerships across Africa. Officials from both sides worked closely bridging perspectives and expanding economic opportunities to enhance global and regional security. The visit delved into topics of commerce, investment, in frastructure, security and stability. President Biden met with leaders from Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. The American-African summit ushered in a new era of cooperation vowing to focus on partnership through investments. The United States believes that trade and investments foster global economy, expedite sustainable development and expand on innovation and entrepreneurship, creating economic opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic. As a show of the significance of African continent to Washington, President Biden was accompanied by congress members, high officials, and businesspeople. Biden's visit aimed to increase of investments, including investments in railway connecting Zambia and Angola, known as the Lobito Corridor. The States had announced signing a Memorandum of Understanding back in October on developing the railway project. The American administration affirmed that this corridor speaks to significance of transport infrastructure, boosts regional trade and promote s a vision of a railway line connecting Atlantic and Indian oceans. Observers consider this initiative a manifestation of competition between the United States and China in the African continent especially considering China's 2013 Belt and road initiative, a large project for infrastructure and economic development through Asia, Europe and China. President Biden's visit highlighted the work and resources invested by US in its vision towards Africa. The 2022 American-African Summit had pledged to invest USD 55 billion in Africa over course of three years. The White House announced achieving 80 percent of the commitment, asserting that this is considered an investment rather than a donation.
