US-Angola ties will grow despite Biden postponement

Significance This follows earlier promises made to Angolan President Joao Lourenco that Biden would visit the country in the context of warming bilateral ties and Washington’s efforts to make Angola a showcase for renewed US engagement in Africa. Impacts Angola’s corruption-prone business environment could deter desired Western private investment. Washington will likely overlook human rights concerns and pressure from local civil society over governance issues. Chinese influence will remain significant for years to come in the form of major investments, accumulated debt and trade. US-Angolan ties would likely remain close under a Trump administration, although Trump would probably evince little personal interest.