The partnership between Angola and the United States of America (USA) reaches its highest point next week with Joe Biden's visit to the country, between December 02nd and 04th – the first by a US President to Angola – with attention focused on strengthening and deepening diplomatic and economic ties.

For decades, oil was the cornerstone of economic relations between the US and Angola, which were uninterrupted, not even during the nearly 30-year civil war that began shortly after Angola's independence in 1975, when the two countries found themselves on opposing sides, with the Americans supporting the UNITA rebels against the MPLA.

Although the US recognized Angola in 1993, signaling a desire to evolve toward a more constructive relationship, the turning point would only begin in 2002 with the end of the war, when Angola began preparing for national reconstruction with the help of international allies (especially China).

The relationship between Angola and the United States has undergone a substantial transformation over the past 30 years. Frances Brown, special assistant to President Joe Biden, recently highlighted the evolution of this relationship, stating that it has become more robust and strategic.

“The transformation of the US-Angola relationship has gained pace in recent years.”

“We see Angola as a strategic partner and a regional leader.”

Frances Brown highlighted, signaling an optimistic vision for the future of this partnership.

In 2023, bilateral trade reached approximately $1,77 billion, placing Angola as the fourth largest US trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This growth reflects a multifaceted approach: the US has sought to strengthen ties in areas such as infrastructure, climate, peace and security, and trade, while recognizing Angola's role as a regional leader.

With João Lourenço's rise to power in 2017, Angola has shown itself increasingly willing to be a strategic partner of the West in Africa, due to its natural resources and privileged location with access to the Atlantic coast. The Angolan government, which aims to diversify the economy and become less dependent on oil, is seeking allies to help it achieve this ambition.

Agriculture, renewable energy, information and communication technologies, and infrastructure are some of the areas that the government led by João Lourenço wants to develop with US assistance.

Angola already has companies such as Africell (Telecom) and Sun Africa (renewable energy), in addition to millions of dollars in financing from the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for the Lobito Corridor.

The United States, for its part, views Angola as an ally that can support them in matters of regional security and stability, also recognizing the potential of the railway corridor that runs through Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and presents itself as an alternative to the Chinese "Belt and Road" initiative, accelerating the transport of critical minerals and agricultural products from the interior.

At the same time, Angola has attempted to balance this relationship with other alliances, notably China and Russia, which remain partners with significant interests in resources, infrastructure, and military support.

Angolan foreign policy has been marked by a delicate balancing act between world powers like the US and China. However, with the election of Donald Trump, this balance has become more complicated. Academic Ricardo Soares de Oliveira of the University of Oxford points out that:

“Trump does not have the Biden administration’s tolerance for non-aligned states.”

Trump demonstrated little interest in Africa during his first term (2017-2021), adopting a predominantly transactional approach focused on extractive industries. If this pattern continues, Angola could face increased challenges in balancing relations with Washington and Beijing, especially if the rivalry between the US and China intensifies.

Biden's visit, initially scheduled for October, comes after the US elections that gave victory to Republican Donald Trump and will therefore not have the impact expected, but nevertheless signals a desire to strengthen ties and demonstrate the mutually beneficial nature of the relationship.

But it is still unclear whether this closeness will continue during his successor's term, as there are opportunities in a context of competition between world powers, but also challenges related to the unpredictability of the policies of the future occupant of the White House.

The partnership between Angola and the United States is at a critical stage, marked by significant progress and strategic challenges. While the Biden administration seeks to deepen ties with Angola, the global landscape and domestic political shifts in the United States continue to shape the dynamics of this relationship.

The continuity and deepening of this strategic relationship will depend not only on Angolan diplomacy, but also on the policies of the future US administration and the evolution of geopolitical competition between powers. Angola's ability to navigate the interests of these global competitors will be essential to maximizing the benefits of this strategic partnership.

Picture: © Ampe Rogério