Presidents Biden and Lourenço Strengthen US-Angola Ties
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. convened with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola at the White House to explore avenues for bolstering their relationship, identifying future collaborative prospects, and addressing global challenges.
Their discussions centered on substantial U.S. economic investments in Angola, notably through the President’s flagship Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) in the Lobito Corridor, amounting to over a billion dollars in U.S. financing committed in the current year.
These investments encompass various initiatives, such as backing for more than 180 rural bridges, enhancing digital connectivity with upgraded 4G and 5G networks nationwide, introducing Angola’s inaugural mobile money application, and contributing 500 megawatts of solar power to the grid.
Additionally, an extra billion dollars has been mobilized for what stands as Africa’s most significant rail investment in U.S. history. These ventures align with Angola’s ambition to transition into a net food exporter by 2027, fortifying regional food security in the process.
Both Presidents affirmed their dedication to intensifying collaboration on pivotal issues shaping their mutual future, including fortifying democracy, augmenting energy production and exportation, and expanding space cooperation.
To this end, they welcomed the forthcoming U.S.–Angola Energy Security Dialogue slated for 2024, designed to ensure secure energy supplies, foster deeper commercial ties, and further mutual climate objectives.
President Biden hailed President Lourenço for Angola’s involvement in the Artemis Accords, a move that advances collective aspirations for space exploration to benefit humanity, and its participation in the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation. Furthermore, both leaders pledged joint efforts to confront global challenges, addressing concerns regarding Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The meeting highlighted the substantial strides made in their 30-year diplomatic relationship, underscoring the President’s unwavering commitment to Africa, as delineated during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit held last year.
SOURCE:whitehouse.gov
