Joe Biden declares the US ‘all in’ on Africa during historic Angola visit

The project aims to ease the export of raw materials essential for batteries and clean energy technologies. Biden is set to visit the Atlantic Ocean outlet of the corridor in Lobito on Wednesday.

China, which has significant investments in Africa’s mining and infrastructure, announced a ban on exports of key materials like gallium and germanium to the US, a day after the US expanded its list of Chinese technology firms subject to export controls.

The Lobito Corridor project has also drawn support from the European Union, the G7, private consortia, and African banks. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby noted that while the project’s completion would take years, significant progress had already been made.

Biden’s trip includes a visit to Angola’s National Slavery Museum, housed in the historic Capela da Casa Grande, where he will address the shared history of slavery between the US and Angola. On Monday, he met Wanda Tucker, a descendant of William Tucker, the first enslaved child born in the US. William Tucker’s parents were brought to colonial Virginia from Angola in 1619 aboard the Portuguese ship White Lion.

President Biden’s visit also coincides with meetings with African business leaders and discussions to enhance public-private partnerships in energy production, as expressed by President Lourenço.

(With inputs from AP)