Kamala Harris tells China to CANCEL debt to Zambia and vows to send country billions from US as VP lands at $1B airport built by Beijing
- Harris urged Zambia's bilateral creditors to expedite restructuring of its debts
- The Vice President is on a week-long tour of Africa, including Zambia
- Zambia's debts crept higher at the end of last year, figures published by the finance ministry this week showed. China is its largest bilateral creditor
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has told China to cancel Zambia's debt as she vowed to send the country billions from the US.
The VP touched down at a $1bn airport in Lusaka on Thursday built by Beijing which serves as a reminder for the vast influence that China holds over the African state.
She was speaking at the start of a two-day visit to Zambia on the last leg of her week-long tour of Africa.
The VP also took time to visit the site of her maternal grandfather's home in Lusaka.
Zambia has been looking to restructure its debt since becoming the first African country to default during the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020. Its debts crept higher at the end of last year, figures published by the finance ministry this week showed. China is its largest bilateral creditor.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to send Zambia billions from the US
Harris is greeted by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Lusaka, Zambia
Harris spoke warmly of visiting her grandfather in Zambia when she was a child.
Zambia has been looking to restructure its debt since becoming the first African country to default during the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020.
Zambia has celebrated Harris' childhood ties to the country. On the drive from the airport into the city, Harris was greeted by signs that read: 'Welcome back to Zambia.'
The VP with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema
Hichilema pontificated on the indictment of President Trump
Harris addressed a news conference following her meetings with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Zambia has celebrated Harris' childhood ties to the country. On the drive from the airport into the city, Harris was greeted by signs that read: 'Welcome back to Zambia.'
Vice President Kamala Harris was also warmly greeted as she landed in Tanzania, with citizens wearing her face on their shirts as she announced a $500million boost for Tanzania.
A sea of supporters sporting crisp white t-shirts and hats with her smiling face on it. People waved the American and Tanzanian flags and danced to their traditional music
She also announced the big push in investment for female business. Around $500million will provide African women with more access to technology, and other new funds will provide a large chunk specifically to support female entrepreneurs.
Harris met Tanzania's first female president, Hassan.
Hassan described their meeting as a 'historic milestone' and referred to Harris - the first black person and first woman to be elected US vice president - as a 'sister.'
Harris also laid a wreath at a memorial commemorating the August 1998 bombing of the US embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's economic hub.
The simultaneous attacks by Al-Qaeda in Tanzania and the US embassy in Kenya's capital Nairobi left more than 200 people dead and more than 5,000 wounded.
On Wednesday, Harris announced an initiative of more than $1billion to improve women's empowerment in Africa.
From Tanzania, Harris headed to Zambia
'We are 'all in' on Africa,' she added.
Harris (R) said the visit would be addressing such issues as climate crisis
In December, ahead of a U.S.-Africa summit, the U.S. committed $55 billion to the continent over the next three years.
School children are seen waving Ghanaian and US flags at the airport in Accra
Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia welcomed Harris
Harris mets with traditional leaders at Cape Coast Castle in Ghana
