Vice President Kamala Harris is concluding the third leg of her Africa visit in Zambia, and will be returning to the U.S. on Sunday. What has been interesting to watch has been yet another very enthusiastic welcome, this one highlighting the fact that she was in Zambia as a young child, visiting her maternal grandfather, Indian diplomat P. V. Gopalan. Hence, there were signs and greetings bidding her “welcome back.”
Friday, Harris met privately with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, after which they held a joint press conference. They discussed Zambia’s debt default and restructuring, and ways in which the U.S. private and public sector can assist Zambia in those efforts. Her activities Saturday included a visit to a farm utilizing new techniques and technology to maximize production in a region where food supplies are being negatively impacted by climate change.
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President Hichilema posted a tweet with a video montage of Harris’ visit.
The White House has posted a summary of their meeting.
Vice President Harris announced the United States and Zambia will sign a Commercial Development Memorandum of Understanding as a follow-up to their commitment to boost commercial engagement during their September 22, 2021 bilateral meeting in Washington, DC. The Vice President also affirmed the United States’ commitment to Zambia’s economic revitalization and welcomed President Hichilema’s economic reform agenda. She assured President Hichilema that the United States considers the finalization of Zambia’s debt treatment a top priority, and that U.S. officials are calling on all bilateral official creditors to provide a meaningful debt reduction for Zambia. The two leaders also discussed cooperation at the United Nations and through the Southern African Development Community, including on insecurity in the region.
The White House also provided a transcript from the leaders’ joint press conference, during which Hichilema commented:
“Zambia has a clear focus on what we want to do. We were elected on a platform of delivering a functioning economy. Reconstructing the economy is our critical agenda. Because we know when we do that, we’ll be able to take care of the needs of our people: education for the young, health and stability for our people; looking aft- — looking after the old, looking after those that live with disabilities. The list goes on.
“So priority for us, Vice President Harris, as a country, now is to rebuild our economy. (Inaudible), the environment that will allow us to support increased investment, trade, and the like.
“What is keeping us down for now, Vice President, is the debt overhang. We carry a debt burden that really is making it difficult for us to continue with our restructuring process of the economy. And it’s actually beginning to negate on the gains we’ve already made, such as in the foreign exchange market. And the earlier we resolve this matter, the better. And we ask for your support, as always, and the support of others to deal with that.”
Harris responded:
“You and I have had extensive conversations about the economy and the work that you have done. And I congratulate on behalf of being a partner with you and just observing what you have done as a leader and as President to put real measures in place to strengthen the economy in Zambia.
“And the work that you have done is about also implementing an economic reform agenda. We will remain a strong partner to build long-term economic growth and boost investment in Zambia. And we will continue to advocate for speedy finalization of Zan- — of Zambia’s debt treatment and the restructuring. And we have talked extensively about that.
“Our administration believes the international community needs to help countries such as Zambia regain their footing. So I will reiterate a call that we have made now many times for all bilateral official creditors to provide a meaningful debt reduction for Zambia.”
Most of Zambia’s debt is held by China, and international news agencies have focused on our government’s attempts to play “catch up” in regards to Chinese (and Russian) influence on the continent. Landry Signé, Senior Fellow on Global Economy and Development, Africa Growth Initiative at the Brookings Institution, wrote an in-depth analysis of these issues prior to the Harris trip, suggesting U.S. priorities in each of the countries she has visited.
First, is Ghana, with which the U.S. has a warm and friendly relationship and which it regards as an important economic partner, with trade volumes between these countries exceeding $1.2 billion. Despite having a more diverse economy than many other countries in West Africa, Ghana is currently experiencing high levels of public debt and record-high levels of inflation accelerated by the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. Vice President Harris discussed the debt crisis and international frameworks to support debt relief and restructuring, economic reforms, and leveraging the significant Ghanaian-American diaspora in the United States to create shared prosperity, among others.
In Tanzania, Vice President Harris’ second stop, the focus should be on highlighting the progress the country has made in strengthening its democracy, on recognizing it as a global player (Tanzania’s 60 million people constitute the fifth largest country in Africa), and on demonstrating that it is a country that empowers women politically and economically. Both Vice President Harris and President Samia Hassan are the first women to serve in their respective positions, sending a powerful signal to the rest of Africa and the world that gender inclusion is a top priority for the United States. Next, Tanzania has high potential for greater U.S. investment across a range of sectors, perhaps most crucially in the digital sector—Tanzania has nearly 100 percent telecom voice penetration, although internet penetration has been slower, with less than 25 percent of the population connected. To truly promote a forward-looking partnership, investment in the digital sector and partnership with entrepreneurs already working in Tanzania should be given particular focus.
Finally, in Zambia, although the debt crisis will likely be a top conversation topic (Zambia became the first African country to default on its debt in 2020 with its debt burden reaching nearly $15 billion), Vice President Harris should use this visit to further existing and new investment commitments with Zambia. U.S. trade with Zambia has been low, but investor interest is growing, as evidenced by the U.S. Zambia Business Forum, which attracted hundreds of American and Zambian companies in a broad variety of sectors such mining, health care, and technology in 2022. There is significant potential for investment in the minerals essential for a green transition that the United States should focus on, especially by finding areas where value can be added within the country. For example, Zambia’s minister of finance identified the United States as an ideal partner to invest in ways to create finished products from copper that can support the green energy system.
AfricaNews covered the visit; this video clip is focused on the discussion around debt reduction.
This Voice of America broadcast explored Harris’ link to Zambia through her grandfather:
Harris also recreated a picture of herself as a child during her Zambia visit.
Harris’ Zambia connection was also reflected in local news headlines.
I hope that this trip signals a continuing commitment to Africa from the Biden-Harris administration, who are more than likely not going to get much, if any, support from Republicans in Congress. Which is just one more reason for us to ensure that they and other Democrats are reelected, and a bunch of those Republicans aren’t.
Please join me in the comments for more on her trip.
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