The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, has announced the disbursement of more than $1 billion to improve women’s economic empowerment in Africa. Harris unveiled the initiative during the first leg of her three-nation trip to the African continent on Wednesday.
The program is a combination of US government funding and private sector commitments and was revealed during Harris’ visit to Ghana, where she visited before travelling to Tanzania and Zambia. This visit follows up on a December summit held by President Joe Biden in Washington with African leaders as the US seeks to balance the growing influence of China and Russia on the continent.
Harris has already announced $139 million in development and culture assistance for Ghana and a $100 million investment in stability and peace-building for coastal West African nations, who face the threat of jihadist violence spilling over from the Sahel.
The initiative for economic empowerment includes a $60 million fund for women in the digital economy and nearly $400 million from the private sector “to support closing the gender digital divide.” According to Harris’ office, “advancing the economic status of women and girls is not only a matter of human rights, justice, and fairness – it is also a strategic imperative that reduces poverty and promotes sustainable economic growth.”
The statement further revealed that another $528 million in private sector financing will help support women’s economic empowerment in Africa. The closing of the digital gap refers to programs that will improve digital access and affordability for women, improve digital literacy and skills, as well as promote online security.
During her visit to Ghana, Harris also visited the Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from where slaves were shipped to North and South America and the Caribbean. She laid a wreath in honor of those who died during the slave trade, saying the horror of what happened there should always be remembered.
Harris called for more investments in innovation in Africa during a speech in Ghana’s capital, Accra, on Tuesday, emphasizing her optimism for the continent. She noted three areas of focus Washington believes could benefit from more investments: women’s empowerment, the digital economy, and good governance and democracy.
“We are ‘all in’ on Africa,” she added, repeating what Biden said at the US-Africa leaders’ summit last year. Harris left for Tanzania on Wednesday and will be in Zambia later in the week.
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