In an effort to signal the Biden administration’s renewed engagement with African leaders, US Vice President Kamala Harris completed her tour to Sub-Saharan Africa with stops in Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia. Harris’ tour precedes an expected visit to the region by US President Joe Biden, which would mark the first visit by a US president in 8 years.

Having retrenched from its position as a primary investor and trade partner on the continent, the United States faces a daunting uphill climb in its effort to contain the influence of China and Russia. During the Trump administration, US policy included cuts to various African initiatives and institutions, enabling both Beijing and Moscow to further cement their economic and political ties with a growing number of African leaders.