Kamala Harris announces business push in Tanzania during her Africa tour News

DAR ES SALAAM, March 30 (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced plans to boost trade and investment in Tanzania during a visit there on Thursday, as part of an African tour aimed at strengthening ties with a continent where China and Russia have more and more influence. influence.

Harris began his trip in Ghana on Sunday before flying on Wednesday night to Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, where he met with President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday.

The two women gave brief statements to the media before entering into a longer session of private talks.

“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 Tanzanian government.

That will facilitate up to $500 million in financing to help American companies export goods and services to Tanzania in sectors including 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 electric vehicle batteries.

“This project is an important and pioneering model, using innovative and low emission standards. It is important to note that the Tanzanians will soon be processing the raw ores in Tanzania,” he said, adding that the plant will deliver battery-grade nickel to the USA. and the global market from 2026.

China has invested heavily in Africa over the past two decades, and last November the President of Tanzania met Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing.

Trade and investment were high on their agenda, with the leaders agreeing to “raise two-way trade and further expand trade volume” with China saying it would explore providing market access to more Tanzanian products.

POLITICAL RIGHTS

On Thursday, President Hassan said her “most important request” was to improve the visa process between the US and Tanzania, as both countries would benefit from a “long-stay visa” that would increase trade and tourism.

Under Hassan, Tanzania has returned to international engagement after a period of isolationism imposed by his predecessor John Magufuli, who canceled all foreign travel by his ministers and discouraged travel.

He has won international praise for restoring political rights suspended by Magufuli, who died in office in 2021.

“Madam President, under your leadership, Tanzania has taken important and significant steps, and President Joe Biden and I applaud you,” Harris said, standing next to Hassan.

Magufuli had banned political demonstrations by people other than elected officials, cracked down on Tanzania’s LGBT community and arrested dozens of opposition supporters. He also rejected COVID-19 vaccines and urged Tanzanians to trust in prayer and treatments like steam inhalation.

Hassan reversed the policies upon coming to power, and earlier this month Tanzania passed the milestone of fully vaccinating 50% of its population against coronavirus.

But human groups say violations continue, including government attacks on online media. Hassan’s education minister also banned a series of children’s books from schools last month for allegedly promoting homosexuality.

Harris, the latest of several high-profile US administration figures to visit African countries in recent months, will remain in Tanzania until Friday, when he will leave for Zambia, the last leg of his tour.

Additional reporting by Aaron Ross in Nairobi; Written by Estelle Shirbon; Edited by Alexander Smith and Andrew Heavens

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