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Kamala Harris has pledged to ‘double down’ on efforts to bring billions of dollars in US investment to Africa – as she announced a $1billion program on the continent to target the empowerment of African business women.
The vice president began her African tour on Sunday in Ghana before flying to Tanzania’s commercial capital Dar es Salaam, where she is due to hold talks with President Samia Suluhu Hassan later on Thursday.
Her office announced plans to improve trade and other aspects of bilateral relations, including a memorandum of understanding between the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the government of Tanzania.
And while in Accra, she announced the big push in investment for female business. Around $500 million will provide African women with more access to technology, and other new funds will provide a large chunk specifically to support female entrepreneurs.
The US will join with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to launch a new fund to help close the so-called gender digital divide.
Kamala Harris has pledged to ‘double down’ on efforts to bring billions of dollars in US investment to Africa as she announced a $1billion program on the continent to target the empowerment of African business women
The memorandum between the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the government of Tanzania will facilitate up to $500 million in U.S. export financing to Tanzania to support exports of goods and services in sectors including infrastructure, transportation, digital technology, climate and energy security and power generation.
Harris’s office also highlighted U.S. support for a plan by LifeZone Metals to open a new processing plant in Tanzania.
The facility will use low-emission technology to process nickel and other minerals mined in the East African country, with a view to start delivering battery grade nickel to the United States from 2026, Harris’s office said.
She is due to stay in Tanzania until Friday, when she will depart for Zambia, the final stop on her tour.
Tanzania is making fragile progress toward restoring its reputation as a more inclusive government.
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Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania´s first female president, has undone some of the country´s more oppressive policies, such as a ban on opposition rallies, even though she came to power as a member of the ruling party.
She´s finishing out the term of President John Magufuli, who died in office and earned a reputation for stamping out dissent, arresting critics and forcing them into exile. Hard-liners have been uncomfortable with some of Hassan´s changes, however, which could cost her in the next election two years from now.
Harris arrived in Tanzania late Wednesday after spending three nights in Ghana. Much like at her first stop, she was greeted with music and dancing as she walked down a red carpet that was rolled out to Air Force 2. Some of the welcoming party wore shirts with Harris’ face.
Harris is scheduled to spend two nights in Tanzania, then conclude her weeklong trip with a stop in Zambia, another country that is striving to strengthen its democracy. She plans to return to Washington on Sunday.
Idayat Hassan, director of the Centre for Democracy and Development in Abuja, Nigeria, said Harris´ visit can help galvanize enthusiasm at a time when there are concerns over backsliding into authoritarianism in Africa and around the world.
‘Many people will want the U.S. to speak to the issue of democracy, which they feel is beginning to decline and is not what it used to be,’ she said. ‘There are more that need to be assured that democracy is here to stay.’
Like Tanzania, Zambia has made uneven steps toward democracy since its independence. However, there´s been a burst of hope after the country elected Hakainde Hichilema, a former opposition leader who once faced charges of treason.
Zambia has since decriminalized defamation of the president, a law that was used to stifle opposition. It´s also serving as a co-host of President Joe Biden´s second Summit for Democracy this week.
However, Hichilema warned this week that economic progress is necessary to sustain open societies.
‘You can´t eat democracy,’ he wrote in The Washington Post. ‘Human rights may sustain the spirit, but not the body.’
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
