The United States (US) Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday said Washington will increase investment in Africa and help spur economic growth in the continent, reported Africa News.
The statement comes as Harris began a weeklong tour of Africa aimed at offering a counter to China’s influence in the continent. Notably, China continues to invest heavily in Africa in recent decades, including in infrastructure and resource development.
In her first remarks in Ghana’s capital Accra, the US vice president highlighted her commitment to holding discussions that will boost opportunities in various sectors of the continent.
“We are looking forward to this trip as a further statement of the long and enduring very important relationship and friendship between the people of the United States and those who live on this continent,” Harris said.
She said during her trip, she intends to do work focused on increasing investments on the continent and facilitating economic growth and opportunity for the people.
In December, ahead of a U.S.-Africa summit, Washington committed $55 billion to Africa over the next three years.
During a visit to Niger earlier this month, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also announced $150 million in new humanitarian aid for Africa’s Sahel region, which is suffering from the militant insurgency.
Harris is the highest-profile member of President Joe Biden’s administration to visit Africa this year. She will be in Ghana from March 26-29, and then she will head to Tanzania. Her final stop is Zambia, on March 31 and April 1. She will meet with the three countries’ presidents and plans to announce public- and private-sector investments.
On Monday, Harris is scheduled to visit a skate park and co-working space that has a recording studio for local artists. Later in the day, she will attend a state banquet with Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo and first lady.
