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Joe Biden
WorldAfrica

Biden arrives in Angola for his long-awaited, first presidential sub-Saharan Africa visit

US president will use the three-day trip to counter China’s influence by highlighting an ambitious US-backed railway project

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US President Joe Biden on the red carpet next to Angola Foreign Affairs Minister Tete Antonio upon his arrival at the Quatro de Fevereiro Luanda International Airport in Angola’s capital Luanda on Monday. Photo: AFP
Associated Press

US President Joe Biden arrived in Angola on Monday for his long-awaited first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa and will use the three-day trip to counter China’s influence by highlighting an ambitious US-backed railway project.

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The Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment in Zambia, Congo and Angola aims to advance US presence in a region rich in the critical minerals used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies.

Thousands of people lined the streets as Biden entered Angola’s capital, Luanda.

Biden first stopped in the Atlantic Ocean island nation of Cabo Verde, formerly known as Cape Verde, for a brief, closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva.

In Angola, Biden plans to meet Angolan President João Lourenço, visit the National Slavery Museum and travel to the port city of Lobito for a look at the railway project.
Supporters of Biden wave US flags upon the US president’s arrival at Luanda International Airport in Luanda, Angola on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Supporters of Biden wave US flags upon the US president’s arrival at Luanda International Airport in Luanda, Angola on Monday. Photo: Reuters
His visit comes with weeks left in his presidency, as Republican president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20.
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