President Joe Biden arrived in Angola on Monday, marking his first presidential trip to sub-Saharan Africa amid heightened global and domestic scrutiny of his administration’s efforts in the region.

Thousands of Angolans lined the streets of Luanda to welcome Biden, who began his visit with a closed-door meeting in Cape Verde with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva before continuing to Angola.

During his stay, Biden is set to meet with Angolan President João Lourenço, tour the National Slavery Museum, and visit the port city of Lobito to inspect a railway project tied to his administration’s key initiatives. The Lobito Corridor, an 800-mile railway upgrade, aims to transport critical minerals from northern Zambia and southern Congo to Angola’s Atlantic port, showcasing U.S. efforts to counter China’s dominance in Africa’s mineral supply chains.

The trip comes just weeks before Biden leaves office, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take over on January 20. Initially promised after the revival of the U.S.-Africa Summit in December 2022, the visit faced delays due to scheduling conflicts and Hurricane Milton in October, fueling concerns that Africa has remained a lower priority for Washington.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby dismissed such criticisms, stating aboard Air Force One en route to Angola, “This is something he [Biden] has been focused on since he became president of the United States.”

Critical minerals are a focal point of U.S.-China competition in Africa. The Biden administration has positioned the Lobito Corridor as a “game-changer” for diversifying supply chains and reducing reliance on Beijing. However, the project represents just the beginning of broader efforts to challenge China’s influence in the region.

Biden’s visit underscores a significant shift in U.S.-Angola relations, moving past Cold War antagonism toward a growing partnership. Historically aligned with Beijing, Angola has increasingly strengthened ties with Washington. In 2022, a U.S.-led consortium secured the Lobito railway project bid over Chinese competitors, marking a pivotal moment in the bilateral relationship.

Biden’s visit highlights the administration’s commitment to fostering economic and diplomatic ties in Africa, even as the clock runs out on his presidency. The trip signals Washington’s intent to deepen its engagement in the region amid intensifying geopolitical competition.