WASHINGTON  – The ONE Campaign released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s visit to Angola, fulfilling a promise to visit the African continent made during the US Africa Leaders Summit two years ago. This is the first US Presidential visit to an African country since 2015.

During his visit, the President is expected to discuss bolstering US leadership on trade, investment, and infrastructure in Africa – with an emphasis on the Lobito Corridor project – and highlight Angola’s regional leadership on trade, security, health.

“We’re glad President Biden has the opportunity to see firsthand the power of successful investment in programs and policies like PEPFAR, AGOA, DFC, and IDA that foster economic opportunities and healthier lives for Africans and demonstrate the value of strategic US investment” said Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President and CEO of The ONE Campaign.

“Though it comes at the end of President Biden’s time in office, this visit must mark the beginning of a new era of US partnership with African countries. With bold, concrete actions, the next administration has a powerful opportunity to continue impactful US investment in and engagement with Africa to forge a moreprosperous, healthy, and mutually beneficial future.”

Background

Strategic – and demonstrably successful – US investments in African infrastructure, health, and economic growth foster the stronger partnerships needed to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges and ensure mutual security and prosperity. They also offer the US an important opportunity to demonstrate American leadership in Africa amidst the backdrop of Chinese investment. Angola is the second largest destination of Chinese investment on the continent, and the country owes $17 billion – more than a third of its total debt – to China.

Health

President Biden arrives in Angola, a PEPFAR-supported country, the day after World AIDS Day. An estimated 320,000 Angolans live with HIV, about half of whom are receiving antiretroviral treatment. Earlier this year, PEPFAR’s Angola program co-launched the Lift Up Initiative, geared toward improving health outcomes of young people living with HIV by empowering them to take control of their own health and disseminating HIV prevention resources to high-risk adolescents.

PEPFAR’s current authorization lapses in March; a study conducted by the program found that AIDS-related deaths in 12 high-burden countries alone could increase by 400% by 2030 should the program be halted. A clean, five-year reauthorization of PEPFAR signals the US’ intent to continue its legacy of global health leadership and ensures the program is able to plan effectively and sustainably for continued progress against HIV/AIDS.

Development & Investment

Lobito Corridor: President Biden is expected to highlight US investments in the Lobito Corridor project, specifically the rehabilitation of an 800-mile railway that connects Angola’s coast to the mineral fields of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. The Development Finance Corporation announced $250 million in funding to the project in February. The corridor will expand transport resources for copper and cobalt – further establishing the important role Africa plays in the energy transition.

It also enables the US to compete directly with China’s influence on the continent and demonstrate to African leaders that it is a reliable partner committed to investing in projects that strengthen resilience and sustainability for African economies. Consider, from the WSJ earlier this year: For more than a decade, the departure board at a Chinese-built train station in Luena, Angola – a stop along the Lobito Corridor – has stubbornly displayed 2012 train times and ticket prices after contractors decamped without providing the computer password.

See also: Bringing affordable healthcare to Angola

IDA: President Biden recently announced a historic $4 billion pledge to the International Development Association (IDA) replenishment –  a strong pledge that will enable emerging economies to expand access to electricity, upgrade education and health infrastructure, and invest in driving growth.

(See how Angola has benefited from IDA here.)