US Vice President Harris to visit Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia

The United States Vice President, Kamala Harris, will travel to three African countries this month, a statement said on Monday, as Washington looks to strengthen diplomatic ties on the continent amid global competition, particularly China.

 “The trip will strengthen the United States’ partnerships throughout Africa and advance our shared efforts on security and economic prosperity,” said a statement from the vice president’s spokesperson, Kirsten Allen.

The trip to Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia from March 25 to April 2 comes after a December summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Washington with US leaders and counterparts from Africa, a continent where China and Russia have enjoyed rising clout.

Harris plans to be in Ghana from March 26 to 29, then in Tanzania from March 29 to 31. Her final stop is Zambia, on March 31 and April 1.

Besides meeting the presidents of each of the three countries she’s visiting, Harris plans to talk with “young leaders, business representatives, entrepreneurs, and members of the African Diaspora,” Allen said.

The White House’s concerted outreach to the continent began with the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, which it hosted in December, AP reports. China has invested heavily in Africa, but Washington is pitching itself as a better partner than Beijing.

“Our administration will be guided not by what we can do for Africa but what we can do with Africa,” Harris said during the summit.