US Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday called for more investment in innovation in Africa in a speech that underscored her optimism for the continent.
His visit to Ghana and later this week to Tanzania and Zambia follows a December summit held by President Joe Biden in Washington with African leaders to balance the rising influence of China and Russia on the continent.
Harris: We are ‘all in’ in Africa
After a stop at a music recording studio in Ghana’s capital, Harris spoke to entrepreneurs and young leaders gathered at the landmark Black Star Gate.
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“African ideas and innovation will shape the future of the world, so we must invest in African ingenuity and creativity that will unlock tremendous economic growth and opportunities,” he said.
She highlighted three focus areas where she believes the US could benefit from more investment: women’s empowerment, the digital economy and good governance and democracy.
While he listed some of the challenges facing the region, from insecurity to climate change and obstacles to economic growth, Harris said the United States would remain a “steadfast partner for progress”.
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“We are ‘all’ in Africa,” he added, echoing what Biden said at last year’s US-Africa leaders’ summit.
“It means the United States is committed to strengthening our partnership across the continent … based on openness, inclusiveness, honesty, shared interests, and mutual benefit.”
– Assistance Package
Later on Tuesday he is scheduled to visit Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where slaves were shipped to North and South America and the Caribbean.
At Monday’s state party with President Nana Akufo-Addo, Harris praised the “Year of Return” and “Beyond Return” initiatives, which encourage descendants of slaves to “return” from 2019.
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“Hundreds of thousands of Black Americans and members of the diaspora around the world came here four years ago… many more visit every year. Your vision, Mr. President, is possible,” he said.
Harris is expected in Tanzania on Wednesday and Zambia later this week, as part of a three-nation tour of the continent.
Earlier on Monday, the United States said it “intends to provide $139 million in bilateral assistance to Ghana” for economic, health, business and cultural initiatives.
It also aims to invest more than $100 million to “support conflict prevention and stabilization efforts on the coast of West Africa.”
Ghana, along with neighboring Ivory Coast, Benin and Togo, is at risk of jihadist violence spreading across the northern border of the Sahel.