President Joe Biden, on a historic visit to Angola, emphasized the deep connection between the past and the future by addressing the legacy of slavery and Africa’s pivotal role in global development. Touring the National Slavery Museum in Luanda on Tuesday, he reflected on the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade, referring to it as “our nation’s original sin.” The museum, housed in a 17th-century temple where enslaved individuals were forcibly baptized and renamed before being shipped to America, serves as a somber reminder of Angola’s role as a departure point for six million enslaved Africans.
Acknowledging the continent’s growing importance, Biden stated, “By 2050, Africans will make up one in four people, and the world’s fate rests in their hands.” His visit, the first by a U.S. president to Angola, aims to fortify U.S.-Africa relations while countering China’s significant presence in the region.
Biden unveiled a $3 billion U.S. commitment to redevelop the Lobito Corridor railway, which connects Angola, Zambia, and Congo. The 800-mile infrastructure project, also backed by the EU, G7, and private African banks, aims to ease the export of critical minerals essential for technologies like electric vehicles. This move echoes China’s Belt and Road initiative, which has heavily influenced Africa’s development. Notably, China recently restricted exports of key materials to the U.S. in response to American trade sanctions.