Joe Biden has ignored Africa for his entire term, so why is he visiting Angola in December?:
US president Joe Biden chose to visit Africa in the final weeks of his presidency. It would be his first trip to the continent since taking office in January 2021.
The trip was postponed at the last minute because of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Milton in the US. It has been rescheduled for the first week in December.
Angola is located in the western region of southern Africa. With 37.2 million people, it is the 11th most populous country in Africa. Its economy relies heavily on oil and gas, accounting for over 90% of exports and 43% of GDP. Its largest trading partners are China and India.
The proposed visit reflects Africa’s growing importance to the US, amid the “new cold war” sparked by rivalry with China. The US is responding to the expanding influence of China, Russia and other emerging powers in Africa. It is intensifying economic, diplomatic and military cooperation.
The proposed visit to Angola marks a turning point in US-Angola relations.
Angolan history
Angolans fought a liberation war against the Portuguese for 15 years – 1961 to 1974. On attaining independence in 1975, a new socialist and pro-communist government, led by the Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), took control.
The country was plunged into a civil war between 1975 and 1988. The US supported the anti-government rebel forces National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (Unita). Cuba and the Soviet Union supported the MPLA.
Angola abandoned communism and one-party rule from 1990. It held its first multiparty election in 1992. Unita contested the outcome. This led to another round of armed conflict.
A government of national unity was established in 1994. However, stability was achieved only in the early 2000s, following the death of Unita leader Jonas Savimbi.
The US established diplomatic relations with Angola in 1993 and celebrated 30 years of relations on 19 May 2023. Six US secretaries of state had visited up to 2020. US-Angola relations flourished even more under Biden.
In September 2023, Lloyd Austin became the first US defence secretary to visit Angola. The visit strengthened US-Angola cooperation by creating high-level dialogue between the two countries. It also boosted cooperation in cyber security, space and maritime security.
In November 2023, Biden received Angolan president João Lourenço at the White House. They discussed several areas of cooperation. These included the economy, security, energy, transport, telecommunications, agriculture and outer space.
Agenda for Biden’s visit to Angola
The White House has identified five objectives for Biden’s visit to Angola.
The first is to bolster economic partnerships that keep US companies globally competitive and protect American workers.
The second objective is to celebrate a signature project of the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. It sponsored the construction of the new 800km rail line connecting Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
The two objectives reflect the renewed desire of the US to expand trade and investment, especially in infrastructure development in Angola and elsewhere in Africa. They also underscore the geopolitical competition with China and Russia in Africa. The US intends to match the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative in the region.
China is Angola’s top trading partner, as it is for many African countries. It accounted for 42.72% (US$ 21.9 billion) of Angola’s exports, and 16.04% (US$ 2.856 billion) of imports in 2022. China-Angola trade relations reached US$ 23 billion in 2023. In contrast, American exports to Angola amounted to US$ 595 million, and imports US$ 1.2 billion in 2023.
Massive investment in transportation and other infrastructure is key to boosting US-Africa trade relations and countering China. This explains the recent US$ 250 million support from the US to rehabilitate the 1,300km Lobito Atlantic Railway.
In addition, the US Export Import Bank is funding the supply of 186 prefabricated bridges worth US$ 363 million to Angola. The US also supported the Angolan flag carrier TAAG’s deal to buy ten new American-made Boeing 787s for US$ 3.6 billion.
The third objective is to strengthen democracy and civic engagement in Angola. The US embassy in Angola has initiated programmes to support press freedom and independence of the judiciary. The US Agency for International Development and the US treasury are supporting capacity building in Angola’s fight against corruption and money laundering.
However, Amnesty International and other human rights bodies fear that geoeconomic interests will overshadow promotion of democracy and human rights during the Biden visit.
The fourth objective is to intensify action on climate security and the clean energy transition. The US is supporting Angola with US$ 900 million over five years to develop more than 500MW of solar power. Other US investments will be in wildlife conservation, drought mitigation, crop irrigation and water resource management.
Like Nigeria and Rwanda, Angola has signed the Artemis Accords, a NASA initiative for US-led cooperation in the civil exploration and use of the Moon, Mars, comets and asteroids for peaceful purposes. In contrast, Ethiopia, Egypt, Senegal and South Africa have joined China’s International Lunar Research Station.
The fifth objective is to enhance peace and security in Angola and the rest of Africa. The US and Angola have expanded collaboration in maritime security, space and cyber defence. Angola received US$ 18 million in US military aid between 2020 and 2023. Angola is also a member of the US-led Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, designed to enhance maritime security and boost the blue economy.
Balance of forces
Biden’s proposed visit, and his record of engagement with Africa, put him one up on his predecessor, Donald Trump, who didn’t visit the continent. It is nevertheless disappointing that he ends his term with one last-minute visit to only one African country.
However, the visit could open Angola up to more US investment, and more cooperation in trade, security, cyberspace and international politics.
While this development broadly represents a positive trend in US-Africa relations, it holds geo-political, economic and strategic consequences for Angola-China, Africa-China, and US-China relations.
Apart from reflecting the US strategic response to the global rise of China, and reminding China of US interests in Africa, the proposed visit shows how far the US will go to court Africa in its quest to contain or match China on the continent.
African countries should therefore position themselves to exploit the opportunities this “new cold war” between the US and China presents.
Christopher Isike is Director, African Centre for the Study of the United States, University of Pretoria.
Samuel Oyewole is Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria.
This article was first published by The Conversation.
Debunking common myths about medical aid gap cover:
Today’s consumers are experiencing more medical expense shortfalls, co-payments and sub-limits than ever before.
As a result, gap cover has become an essential component in ensuring comprehensive medical cover and protection against unanticipated financial considerations.
However, gap cover does not cover everything and it is important to understand how it works to ensure you choose the right fit for both your needs and budget, as well as your medical aid plan.
Here are some common misconceptions and the facts to help you make the most of your cover.
Myth: I have comprehensive medical aid, so everything is covered
If you have a higher medical aid plan option, it is easy to assume that this means your medical expenses will be covered no matter what.
The reality, though, is that even on costly comprehensive and executive medical aid plans, you are likely to experience expense shortfalls, as specialists frequently charge many times more than the scheme rate for their services.
Comprehensive medical aid plans can cover up to 300% of the scheme rate but it has become common for some specialists to charge much more than this, often 500% to 600%, and in some cases even higher. This can result in massive medical expense shortfalls that will need to be paid out of pocket.
Even with gap cover in place this can be problematic, as gap cover typically offers cover up to 600% of the scheme rate.
It is always best to get a cost estimate from a specialist upfront, where possible, so you can make an informed decision.
Myth: Gap cover will pay my day-to-day medical expenses
Gap cover does not cover day-to-day expenses and it is important to understand this. Essentially, gap cover is there to cover the medical expense shortfalls experienced with hospitalisation, and related expenses, including sub-limits and co-payments.
Visits to the GP, as well as optometry and general dentistry, which are covered out of medical savings, are excluded from gap cover.
However, there are some additional benefits on certain gap cover plans — for example, some providers offer a casualty benefit that will pay out should you need to visit the emergency room outside of the working hours of a GP.
Myth: If my gap cover policy covers it, I can claim even if it’s not covered by medical aid
Gap cover policies often provide fairly comprehensive benefits for dread diseases such as cancer. For example, gap cover will cover medical expense shortfalls when a patient reaches their medical aid’s annual cancer benefit limit.
However, gap cover will not cover anything that is not covered by medical aid, even if it is one of the benefits listed in a gap cover policy schedule.
For example, your gap cover policy might state that it provides cover for shortfalls related to biological cancer drugs, however, not all medical aid plans will cover this, and if your medical aid does not cover it, gap cover will not either.
Similarly, gap cover might offer cover for scopes and scans, but if medical aid does not cover these at all, then gap cover might not cover it either, unless this is specifically stated.
It is important to understand how you are covered and to make sure that your gap cover is aligned with your medical aid scheme and plan.
Myth: If I make use of a broker, it will cost me money
Your broker or financial advisor is invaluable in helping you to ensure that you have the right medical aid to suit your age, life stage and budget and in helping you to select the most appropriate gap cover that aligns with your medical aid and your financial requirements.
Brokers earn commission from medical aids and insurers, so it costs you nothing to lean on their expertise, and independent brokers have a wealth of knowledge and industry experience that can be hugely beneficial.
When it comes to protecting yourself against medical expense shortfalls, they can help you to understand your benefits and to ensure your cover meets your needs today and as they change in future.
James White is the director of sales and marketing at Turnberry Management Risk Solutions.
Disaster teams on high alert as KwaZulu-Natal again braces for severe weather:
Disaster management teams across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have been placed on high alert following severe weather warnings from the South African Weather Service.
eThekwini Municipality said on Sunday that the city’s disaster management centre and emergency services were monitoring the situation closely, as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to hit the region, with potentially life-threatening impacts.
From Sunday to Tuesday, 22 October, eThekwini and other parts of the province, including the Ugu, uMgungundlovu, and iLembe districts, will experience disruptive rainfall, thunderstorms, excessive lightning, large hail, and damaging winds.
The weather service’s first alert forecasts disruptive rainfall in the affected areas starting on Sunday. A second warning is for severe thunderstorms across the rest of KZN, which could lead to flooding and infrastructure damage.
KZN’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi, said he had mobilised provincial disaster management teams to monitor high-risk areas and provide immediate assistance where needed.
“We urge residents to take these warnings seriously, as the weather poses a significant threat to human life,” Buthelezi said, adding that all relevant line function departments and municipalities had activated their disaster mitigation plans.
eThekwini Municipality has urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly those in low-lying areas prone to flooding.
“Our teams remain on high alert as some areas are at risk,” said a spokesperson from the municipality, noting that although no flooding incidents had been reported by midday, the potential for severe weather-related damage remained high.
Buthelezi called for extreme caution on the roads, as slippery conditions may lead to accidents.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed through reliable weather updates and report any emergencies.
eThekwini residents can contact the municipality’s emergency hotline on 031 361 0000.
A provincial joint operations committee meeting will be convened by the provincial disaster management centre later on Sunday to assess preparedness and coordinate responses to the expected weather conditions. Search and rescue teams, along with humanitarian relief partners, are also on standby.
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