Kamala Harris Concludes Visit To Africa

The U.S. vice president Kamala Harris has ended her weeklong trip across Africa.

Harris met with Zambia's, Tanzania's and Ghana's heads of state during her three-leg journey.

She aimed to strengthen and reframe U.S. ties with the continent in case the impact of other foreign powers overshadowed her journey.

On Saturday, April 1, 2023, she emphasized important measures taken in that direction. 

"My visit has convinced me more than ever, that we must all around the globe appreciate and understand the importance of investing in African ingenuity and creativity. The type I have seen during this trip," she said.

"In my meetings with the presidents of Ghana and Tanzania, and here in Zambia, we have launched new initiatives to strengthen our business ties. 

"We have also advanced our work to support democracy and good governance on the continent, which will invariably create greater stability, predictability, the type that businesses require and need to invest," she added.

"In each of these engagements. It has been clear there was a strong desire from leaders on this continent, from young entrepreneurs on this continent to increase investments on this continent."

Harris recognised that some regions of the continent are at the forefront of digital solutions, but she also drew attention to regional differences while laying out a plan for collaborations in this area. She pledged US backing for them.

"In other places on the continent, we see that there is a lag and that there are many who lag and we must be clear about the challenges presented to close these gaps and then commit to taking action because solutions are within sight and reach."

Following the US-Africa meeting from the previous year, the United States has increased attempts to reengage with African nations. President Joe Biden stated that he also plans to travel this year.

"President Biden, through these initiatives, has pledged to work with the United States Congress to invest $350 million and to facilitate nearly half a billion dollars in development financing, to make sure that people across the continent can participate in the digital and global economy."

Kamala Harris left for Washington after participating in a roundtable conversation with business and charity executives in Lusaka.

Harris' trip to Africa is the most recent in a series of high-profile American leaders' trips to Africa.