United States: The United States Vice President Ms. Kamala Harris has stated that the country will increase investment in Africa and help in economic growth as she begins a week-long tour of the continent to counter the influence of rivals Russia and China.

In recent years, China and Russia have invested heavily in Africa, including in infrastructure and resource development and through the deployment of troops from the private military contractor Wagner Group in several countries.

“On this trip, I intend to do work that is focused on increasing investments here on the continent and facilitating economic growth and opportunity,” Ms. Harris announced shortly after touching down in Ghana, the first destination in a trip that will include visits to Tanzania and Zambia.

“We are looking forward to this trip as a further statement of the long and enduring, very important relationship and friendship between the people of the United States and those who live on this continent,” the Vice President added.

The administration of President Joe Biden has sought to strengthen ties with Africa in an effort to offer an alternative to rival powers in global competition over the continent’s future.

Ms. Harris will meet Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo soon and will visit a castle from which people were forcibly sent to the US during the slave trade era.

The Vice President will be in Ghana from March 26–29, then in Tanzania from March 29–31, and her final stop is Zambia on March 31 and April 1. Ms. Harris will meet with the three countries’ presidents and plans to announce public- and private-sector investments.

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