U.S Vice President Kamala Harris has assured Some African Countries that they will increase investments in Africa and help bring about some major economic growth.She made the statement during her tour in Ghana,where she equally Promised to reduce the influence of China in some African Countries.
Increase Investments in Africa
Spurring up Economic Growth and increasing investments in Africa which has been going through a worrying political backdrop of global inflation, is one of the major objectives of her visit.
“On this trip I intend to do work that is focused on increasing investments here on the continent and facilitating economic growth and opportunity,” Harris said shortly after touching down in Ghana, the first destination in a trip that will include visits to Tanzania and Zambia.
During the U.S African summit which held in December and chaired by the U.S President Joe Biden,$55 billion was donated to the African Continent for a period of Three years.
These funds will support the AU’s Agenda 2063 by investing in human capital, infrastructure, agriculture, health systems, and security in ways that advance shared U.S. and African priorities.The
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $150 million in new humanitarian aid for Africa’s Sahel region during a visit to Niger this month.
Reducing the influence of China in Africa
China within just a few decades has become a key political and economic power in the African continent.China commonly funds the construction of some infrastructures such as roads,ports and airports.
Chinese state-owned firms build large-scale infrastructure in African countries in exchange for access to minerals or hydrocarbons, such as oil.in 2009,China surpassed the U.S to become the largest trading partner of Africa,home to diamonds ,Gold large oil reserves which is the center of attraction to many of the world’s economic powers.The Vice Presidents visit to Africa is therefore to ask the leaders to choose between the U.S and China in Africa,where sluggish growth and persistent poverty has been hindering development.
China’s engagement in technology and economic issues in Africa that concern the United States, as well as China’s involvement in debt restructuring will also be on the menu.
Kamala Harris however emphasized that at the end of the visit,the relationship between the U.S and African partners will be deepened.
“We are looking forward to this trip as a further statement of the long and enduring and very important relationship and friendship between the people of the United States and those who live on the continent of Africa,’ Harris said.
‘I am very excited about the future of Africa. I am very excited about the impact of the future of Africa on the rest of the world including the United States of America,’ she said.
Her visit continues to Dar ES Salaam,Tanzania on Wednesday.