The United States (US) Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday announced an initiative to expand trade with Tanzania as she hailed Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan as a “champion” of democracy, reported TRT World.
Hassan is the first female president of Tanzania who has taken numerous steps to roll back the authoritarian policies of former president John Magufuli. She has also received praise for restoring political rights which were previously suspended by her predecessor.
“Madam President, under your leadership, Tanzania has taken important and meaningful steps. And President Joe Biden and I applaud you,’’ Harris said in a joint press statement with Hassan during her official visit to the country.
The US Vice President announced a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening the economic relationship between the two countries. She announced that the Export-Import Bank will sign an MOU with Tanzania, which will facilitate up to $500 million in financing to help US companies export goods and services to Tanzania in sectors including infrastructure, digital technology, transportation, and clean energy projects.
Harris also said that her government was starting a new partnership with Tanzania in sectors of 5G technology and cyber security.
Tanzanian President Hassan thanked the US for supporting the country in the health, water, education, and sanitation sectors.
She said the US PEPFAR program had led to the reduction in HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis infections in Tanzania. Hassan said that malaria deaths have also been reduced through US support. She said that the number of malaria deaths has now been reduced from 7.7 million in 2015 to 3.5 million in 2021.
Harris is currently on a trip to African countries. She landed in Tanzania on Wednesday night after stopping by Ghana for three days. She is in Tanzania for three days. Her last destination will be Zambia where she will land on Friday.
