By Enyichukwu Enemanna
As the United States Vice President, Kamala Harris begins a three-nation tour of Africa this weekend, senior officials of the White House say the agenda of her visit will centre on China’s engagement in technology and economic issues in the continent, especially the ones that concern the US.
Also to be discussed, is China’s involvement in debt restructuring for Africa, even as Washington seeks to pitch itself as a better partner than China, which has invested in Africa over the years.
Harris is expected to be in Ghana from March 26 to 29, and then in Tanzania from March 29 to 31.
Her final stop is Zambia, where she will be from March 31 to April 1. She will meet the three countries’ presidents and plans to announce public and private sector investments.
Zambia, the first African country to default on its sovereign debt during the COVID-19 pandemic, is working with its creditors, including China, to reach an agreement.
“We’re not asking our partners in Africa to choose,” an official told Reuters news agency, describing the competition with China. He said the US has “real concerns about some of China’s behaviour in Africa” and its “opaque” business dealings.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity said Harris would discuss the best ways for the international community to address debt challenges faced by Ghana and Zambia.
The White House hosted an Africa Leaders Summit in December, and President Joe Biden is expected to travel to the continent later this year.
Harris, who visited her maternal grandfather as a little girl while he worked there, is “looking forward to returning to Lusaka, which is a part of her family’s story and a source of pride”, one of the officials said.
On her tour, Harris will also meet young leaders and business representatives and discuss topics such as climate change and food insecurity.
