US Vice President Kamala Harris will spend a week in Africa at the end of March as the US deepens its outreach to the continent amid global competition, notably with 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.
Harris’ visit will follow visits by first lady Jill Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is going this week, and President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Africa later this year.
Harris will be closely watched as the first Black vice president in American history and the first woman to hold the position.
From March 26 to 29, she intends to be in Ghana, and from March 29 to 31, she’ll be in Tanzania. Zambia will be her penultimate stop on March 31 and April 1.
The third nation on Harris’ travel schedule holds a special place in her heart. She visited her maternal grandfather who used to labor in Zambia when she was a young girl.
Allen stated that the vice president’s plan will focus on advancing democracy, addressing climate change, empowering women economically, and ensuring food security.