United States Vice President Pledges Greater Investment In Africa

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Sunday that the United States will increase investment in Africa and help spur economic growth as she began a week-long tour of the continent aimed at offering a counter to the influence of rival China.

In recent decades, China has made significant investments in Africa, especially in infrastructure and resource development, while Russian influence has expanded, including through the deployment of troops from Russia's private military contractor Wagner Group to assist governments in various nations.

"On this trip, I intend to do work focused on increasing investments on the continent and facilitating economic growth and opportunity," Harris said immediately after landing in Ghana, the opening stop on a trip that will also take her to Tanzania and Zambia.

President Joe Biden's administration has pushed to improve ties with Africa, in part to provide an option to competing powers.

The United States promised $55 billion to Africa over the next three years in December, ahead of a US-Africa summit. 

During a visit to Niger this month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $150 million in fresh humanitarian aid for Africa's Sahel area.

As president, Biden has yet to visit Africa.

Harris will also discuss China's involvement in technological and economic concerns in Africa that affect the US, as well as China's involvement in debt restructuring, according to top US officials last week.

This week, Harris will meet Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo and visit a former slave fortress where slaves were brought to America during the slave trade era.

Vice President Harris will visit Ghana from March 26 to 29, and Tanzania from March 29 to 31. On March 31 and April 1, she will make her final stop in Zambia. 

She will meet with the presidents of the three nations and will announce governmental and private sector investments.