That will facilitate up to $500 million in financing to
help U.S. companies export goods and services to Tanzania in
sectors including infrastructure, transportation, digital
technology, climate and energy security and power generation.
Harris also mentioned a new partnership in 5G technology and
cybersecurity, as well as a U.S.-supported plan by LifeZone
Metals to open a new processing plant in Tanzania for minerals
that go into electric vehicle batteries.
"This project is an important and pioneering model, using
innovative and low-emission standards. Importantly, raw minerals
will soon be processed in Tanzania, by Tanzanians," she said,
adding that the plant would deliver battery-grade nickel to the
United States and the global market from 2026.
China has invested heavily in Africa in the last two
decades, and last November the Tanzanian president met China's
President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing.
Trade and investment featured heavily on their agenda, with the leaders agreeing to "elevate two-way trade and further expand the trade volume" and China saying it would explore providing market access to more Tanzanian goods.
POLITICAL RIGHTS
On Thursday, President Hassan said her "most important request" was to improve the visa process between the U.S. and Tanzania, as both countries would benefit from a "long duration visa" that would increase trade and tourism.
Under Hassan, Tanzania has returned to international engagement after a period of isolationism enforced by her predecessor John Magufuli, who cancelled all his ministers' foreign trips and discouraged travel. She has won praise internationally for restoring political rights suspended by Magufuli, who died in office in 2021. "Madam President, under your leadership Tanzania has taken important and meaningful steps and President Joe Biden and I applaud you," Harris said, standing alongside Hassan. Magufuli had banned political rallies by anyone other than elected officials, cracked down on Tanzania's LGBT community and arrested scores of opposition supporters. He had also rejected COVID-19 vaccines and urged Tanzanians to put faith in prayer and treatments such as steam inhalation. Hassan reversed the policies upon coming to power and earlier this month, Tanzania passed the milestone of fully vaccinating 50% of its population against the coronavirus.
But human groups say violations continue, including
government targeting of online media outlets. Hassan's education
minister also banned a series of children's books from schools
last month for allegedly promoting homosexuality.
Harris, the latest of several high-profile figures from
the U.S. administration to visit African countries in recent
months, is due to stay in Tanzania until Friday, when she will
depart for Zambia, the final stop on her tour.
(Additional reporting by Aaron Ross in Nairobi; Writing by
Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Alexander Smith and Andrew Heavens)
