VP Kamala Harris
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US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to engage in a moderated dialogue with Kenyan President William Ruto during his official state visit to the United States.
The conversation, hosted by the US-Africa Business Center at the US Chamber of Commerce, will centre around digital inclusion efforts across the African continent. Drawing from her recent trip to Africa in March and April 2023, Vice President Harris is expected to underscore both public and private sector initiatives aimed at boosting investment in digital infrastructure and innovation. During her visit to Lusaka, Zambia, in April 2023, the Vice President rallied business leaders and philanthropists to support digital inclusion efforts in Africa, resulting in over $8 billion in combined public and private investments.
Her ongoing commitment to fostering private sector engagement aligns with the Digital Transformation with Africa Initiative launched by President Biden at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022. President Ruto's tour will commence in Atlanta, Georgia, where he will visit the Carter Presidential Library and Museum and pay homage to the Civil Rights struggle at Ebenezer Baptist Church. His third engagement will focus on the US-Kenya Health Partnership at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) headquarters where several collaborative initiatives between the CDC and Kenya will be announced.
Notably, this state visit marks the first time an African leader has visited the United States in 16 years. President Ruto aims to position Kenya as Africa's premier investment destination, urging multinational companies to explore opportunities in areas such as ICT, e-mobility, agriculture, infrastructure, housing, renewable energy, and carbon markets. The US-Kenya Business Forum will provide a platform for the Vice President and President Ruto to discuss efforts aimed at enhancing digital access and participation across the African continent.