Kamala Harris announces Tanzania trade initiatives on Africa tour
VP Harris announced a list of initiatives, including an MOU between the Export-Import Bank of the US (EXIM) and Tanzania.
United States Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday announced plans to boost trade with and investment in Tanzania during a visit there, part of an African tour aimed at strengthening ties with a continent where China’s influence and Russia increases.
The tour kicked off in Ghana on Sunday before flying late Wednesday to Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, where she met President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday. The two women made brief statements to the media before embarking on a longer session of private conversations.
“By working together, our shared goal is to increase economic investment in Tanzania and strengthen our economic ties,” said Harris, listing a number of initiatives.
They include a new memorandum of understanding between the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the government of Tanzania.
That will enable up to $500 million in funding to help U.S. companies export goods and services to Tanzania in sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, digital technology, climate and energy security, and power generation.
Harris also mentioned a new partnership in 5G technology and cybersecurity, as well as a US-backed plan by LifeZone Metals to open a new processing plant in Tanzania for minerals used in batteries for electric vehicles.
“This project is an important and pioneering model, using innovative and low-emission standards. Importantly, raw minerals will soon be processed by Tanzanians in Tanzania,” she said, adding that the plant will supply battery-grade nickel to the US and the global market from 2026.
China has invested heavily in Africa over the past two decades, and last November Hassan met Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing.
Trade and investment were high on their agenda, with leaders agreeing to “step up two-way trade and further expand trade volume” and China saying it would explore providing market access for more Tanzanian goods.
Political rights
On Thursday, President Hassan said her “main request” was to improve the visa process between the US and Tanzania, as both countries would benefit from a “long-term visa” that would increase trade and tourism.
Under Hassan, Tanzania has returned to international involvement after a period of isolationism enforced by her predecessor John Magufuli, who canceled all foreign travel by his ministers and discouraged travel.
She has been praised internationally for restoring political rights suspended by Magufuli, who died in office in 2021.
“Madam President, under your leadership, Tanzania has taken important and meaningful steps and President Joe Biden and I applaud you,” said Harris, standing next to Hassan.
Magufuli had banned political gatherings by anyone other than elected officials, cracked down on Tanzania’s LGBT community and arrested dozens of opposition supporters. He had also rejected COVID-19 vaccines and urged Tanzanians to rely on prayer and treatments such as steam inhalation.
Hassan reversed the policy when he came to power and earlier this month Tanzania passed the milestone of fully vaccinating 50 percent of its population against the coronavirus.
But human groups have said abuses continue, including government attacks on online media outlets. Hassan’s education minister also last month banned a range of children’s books from schools for allegedly promoting homosexuality.
Harris, the latest of several high-profile US government figures to visit African countries in recent months, will remain in Tanzania until Friday, when she will depart for Zambia, the last stop of her tour.
The two women first met in April 2022 when Harris received Hassan at the White House in Washington.