As she began a week-long visit to the continent to offset the influence of rival China, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Sunday that the United States will boost investment in Africa and support economic growth in the continent.
On this trip I intend to do work that is focused on increasing investments here on the continent and facilitating economic growth and opportunity,” Harris said shortly after touching down in Ghana, the first destination in a trip that will include visits to Tanzania and Zambia.
In recent decades, China has made significant investments in Africa, particularly in the development of infrastructure and natural resources. At the same time, Russian influence has increased, in part due to the deployment of Russian military personnel from the private military contractor Wagner Group to support governments in a number of nations.
In order to provide a rival power with a viable alternative, the Biden administration has worked to deepen ties with Africa.
Prior to a U.S.-Africa meeting, the U.S. pledged $55 billion to the continent over the following three years in December. During a visit to Niger this month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $150 million in fresh humanitarian aid for Africa’s Sahel area.
According to senior U.S. sources, Harris will also discuss China’s involvement in debt restructuring, as well as China’s involvement in technological and economic concerns in Africa that the United States finds troubling.
This week, Harris will meet with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and travel to a former slave fortress where slaves were transported to America during the time of the slave trade.
Harris will visit Tanzania from March 29 to 31 before travelling to Ghana from March 26 to 29. Zambia will be her final trip on March 31 and April 1. She intends to announce both public and private sector initiatives during her meeting with the presidents of the three nations.
