Vice President Kamala Harris Tours Africa: Strengthening U.S.-Africa Relations

Vice President Kamala Harris embarked on her first international trip in June 2021 as she visited Mexico and Guatemala to address the root causes of migration from Central America. Later, she traveled to Singapore and Vietnam to discuss regional security and promote economic ties.

However, in August 2021, Vice President Harris embarked on a week-long trip to Africa, which included stops in Senegal, South Africa, and Botswana. The primary focus of her trip was to strengthen U.S. partnerships in the region, particularly in the areas of health and economic development.

During her visit, Vice President Harris announced new initiatives to help combat HIV/AIDS in Africa, including a new partnership between the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). She also met with African leaders to discuss regional security issues, including the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

Vice President Harris also emphasized the importance of promoting economic development in Africa, announcing a new $50 million investment in African businesses and a new partnership with the African Union to promote economic growth and job creation.

Overall, Vice President Harris’ trip to Africa aimed to strengthen U.S. ties with the continent and address some of the key challenges facing African nations, including health crises, economic development, and regional security.