U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is paying visits to Senegal, Zambia, and South Africa in the next two weeks. Her trip comes as Washington aims to strengthen ties with the continent that becomes a focus for Chinese trade and investment.
The African tour will make Yellen the first member of President Joe Biden’s cabinet to embark on a lengthy visit to the region. News of her travel follows a White House announcement in December that more than $15 billion has been set aside for the continent for two-way trade and investment deals. The United States has said that it is “all in” on Africa’s future.
Yellen will meet officials in the three countries to discuss energy, food security, debt issues, and infrastructure investments. The new U.S. approach includes investment and trade partnerships, not just humanitarian and security aid.