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China has invested heavily in Africa in recent decades,
including in infrastructure and resource development, while
Russian influence has also grown, including through the
deployment of troops from Russia's private military contractor
Wagner Group to aid governments in several countries.
"On this trip I intend to do work that is focused on increasing
investments here on the continent and facilitating economic
growth and opportunity," Harris said shortly after touching down
in Ghana, the first destination in a trip that will include
visits to Tanzania and Zambia.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to
strengthen ties with Africa, in part to offer an alternative to
rival powers.
In December, ahead of a U.S.-Africa summit, the U.S. committed
$55 billion to the continent over the next three years.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $150 million in new
humanitarian aid for Africa's Sahel region during a visit to
Niger this month.
Biden is yet to visit Africa as president.
On this trip, Harris will also discuss China's engagement in
technology and economic issues in Africa that concern the United
States, as well as China's involvement in debt restructuring,
senior U.S. officials said last week.
Harris will meet Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo this week and
will visit a former slave castle from which slaves were sent to
America during the slave trade era.
Harris will be in Ghana from March 26-29, then in Tanzania from
March 29-31. Her final stop is Zambia, on March 31 and April 1.
She will meet with the three countries' presidents and plans to
announce public- and private-sector investments.
(Reporting by Cooper Inveen and Edward McAllister, Editing by
Raissa Kasolowsky)
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