The U.S. government announced plans on Thursday to boost the country’s exports to Tanzania, where U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris was visiting as part of a diplomatic move by Washington to bolster trade relations. ties with the African continent, in which China and Russia have more and more weight.

Harris kicked off his African tour Sunday in Ghana, before flying late Wednesday to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, where he is scheduled to meet Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan late Thursday.

Harris’ office announced plans to improve trade and other aspects of relations between the two countries, including an MOU between the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the Tanzanian government.

Harris’ office also highlighted US support for a plan by metallurgical company LifeZone Metals to open a new processing plant in Tanzania.

Harris will remain in Tanzania until Friday, when he will leave for Zambia, the last stop on his tour.

His visit to Dar es Salaam marks Tanzania’s return to international engagement under Hassan’s presidency, after a period of isolationism under his predecessor, John Magufuli, who canceled all foreign trips by his ministers and discouraged travel.

Hassan has won international praise for restoring political rights suspended by Magufuli, who died in office in 2021.

However, human rights groups claim that rights violations continue in Tanzania, with the government targeting online media outlets. Hassan’s education minister also last month banned a series of children’s books from schools, saying they “promote” homosexuality.

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