On Thursday, United States Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to Tanzania as part of her week-long visit to Africa announced plans to boost trading activities between the two countries.
Harris began her journey in Ghana on Sunday before travelling late on Wednesday to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s business hub, where she met President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
During her visit to Tanzania, Harris discusses ways to strengthen the partnership between the United States and Tanzania. One of the main topics of discussion was increasing trade between the two countries, with the United States expressing interest in expanding investment and trade opportunities with Tanzania.
“Working together, it is our shared goal to increase economic investment in Tanzania and strengthen our economic ties,” Harris said, listing a number of initiatives.
They included a new memorandum of understanding between the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the government of Tanzania.
That will make it possible for funding of up to $500 million to support American businesses exporting goods and services to Tanzania in industries like infrastructure, transportation, digital technology, climate and energy security, and power production.
Harris also noted a new relationship in cybersecurity and 5G technologies, as well as LifeZone Metals’ plans to build a new processing facility in Tanzania for the minerals used in EV batteries.
“This project is an important and pioneering model, using innovative and low-emission standards. Importantly, raw minerals will soon be processed in Tanzania, by Tanzanians,” she said, adding that the plant would deliver battery-grade nickel to the United States and the global market from 2026.
China has invested heavily in Africa in the last two decades, and last November the Tanzanian president met China’s President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing.
Trade and investment featured heavily on their agenda, with the leaders agreeing to “elevate two-way trade and further expand the trade volume” and China saying it would explore providing market access to more Tanzanian goods.
Harris’ visit to Tanzania marks an important step in Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic relationships with African countries and promote mutual interests. The trip also highlights Harris’ historic role as the first woman, first Black person, and first person of Indian descent to hold the position of Vice President in the United States.