US Vice President Strengthens Ties Between US And Tanzania

US Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged to strengthen economic ties between the US and Tanzania during her visit to the East African country on Thursday.

Harris is on an African tour aimed at strengthening relationships with countries on the continent as China and Russia increase their influence in the region.

During her visit to Tanzania, Harris met with President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the two leaders discussed initiatives to increase economic investment, including a memorandum of understanding between the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Tanzanian government that will facilitate up to $500m in financing for US companies to export goods and services to Tanzania.

Harris also highlighted a new partnership in 5G technology and cybersecurity, as well as a US-supported plan by LifeZone Metals to open a new processing plant in Tanzania for minerals that go into electric vehicle batteries.

This project is expected to deliver battery-grade nickel to the US and the global market from 2026.

Hassan has requested an improvement in the visa process between the US and Tanzania to increase trade and tourism, as the country returns to international engagement after a period of isolationism enforced by her predecessor, John Magufuli, who died in office in 2021.

Hassan has reversed some of Magufuli’s policies, including restrictions on political rallies and a crackdown on Tanzania’s LGBT community.

Harris’s visit to Tanzania follows her visit to Ghana earlier in the week, and she is due to depart for Zambia on Friday, the final stop on her African tour.