Kamala Harris’ Africa trip: Can the US charm offensive entice the continent away from China?

The US secretary of state was the first to travel to Africa, followed by the vice president, and the president himself is expected later this year.

This flurry of visits by top US administration figures reflects a growing recognition that the US needs to deepen its engagement with the continent.

All of this comes in the face of increasing competition from other global powers, particularly China and Russia.

On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Ghana, where she was greeted by drummers and dancers at Kotoko International Airport. She will then travel to Tanzania and Zambia.

Ghana, with its emphasis on strengthening ties with the African diaspora and a track record of peaceful democratic transfers of power, is an ideal starting point for Ms Harris.

According to an official statement, her trip is meant to “build on” the December US-Africa summit in Washington, where President Joe Biden declared that the US was “all in on Africa’s future.”

However, it is the continent’s bright future, fueled by a young and growing population as well as the continent’s vast natural resources, that has attracted a slew of other powerful nations vying for influence.

While Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s recent visit to Ethiopia and Niger focused on the security challenges confronting these countries, the vice president’s tour will take her to countries facing serious economic challenges.

Ghana’s once-thriving economy is experiencing its most severe financial crisis in decades.

The country is attempting to restructure its debt in the face of over 50% inflation. Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has just returned from China, where he led negotiations with the Chinese government.

“So far, very positive and encouraging meetings in China,” the finance minister tweeted, expressing optimism that external assurances would be obtained “very soon.”

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