President Joe Biden is set to become the first sitting U.S. president to visit Angola, highlighting a deepening relationship between the two nations and showcasing recent U.S. investments as an alternative to China’s growing influence.

The visit, scheduled for December 2-4, marks the first trip by a U.S. president to Africa since Barack Obama visited Kenya and Ethiopia in 2015. Biden’s itinerary will begin in Luanda, Angola’s capital, where he will hold a bilateral meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço. The two leaders last met in December 2023 at the White House.

In Luanda, Biden will deliver a speech emphasizing the shared history and strengthening ties between Angola and the United States, as well as broader U.S. engagement with the African continent. He is expected to announce new initiatives related to global health security, agribusiness, security cooperation, and the preservation of Angola’s cultural heritage.

The trip follows the U.S. pledge in 2022 to invest $55 billion in Africa over three years. A senior administration official confirmed that 80% of this commitment has already been met.

“In Angola, U.S. government investment has expanded telecommunications access, enabling more people to connect to 3G and now building out 5G networks, as well as renewable energy projects,” the official said. The U.S. Export-Import Bank has approved nearly $2.5 billion in financing for renewable energy projects in Angola, positioning the country to transition from an energy deficit to becoming an energy exporter in the region.

Biden’s visit underscores Angola’s growing importance as a regional leader and as a critical partner in countering Chinese influence in Africa. The U.S. aims to leverage these investments to strengthen ties and offer African nations a competitive alternative to partnerships with China.

Biden’s trip signals a renewed commitment to Africa, reinforcing its importance in U.S. foreign policy and showcasing the mutual benefits of enhanced cooperation.