Harris Announces New Initiatives to Improve Internet Access and Promote Digital Inclusion in Africa

Vice President Kamala Harris has announced the formation of a new partnership to help provide internet access to 80% of Africa by 2030, up from roughly 40% now. The announcement comes as follow-through on Harris' visit to the continent last year in conjunction with this week's visit to Washington by Kenyan President William Ruto.

Vice President Kamala Harris has announced a series of new initiatives aimed at improving internet access and promoting digital inclusion in Africa. The initiatives include the formation of a new partnership to help provide internet access to 80% of Africa by 2030, up from roughly 40% now.

Harris made the announcement on Friday during a visit to Discovery World in Milwaukee. She said that the new partnership will bring together governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations to work towards the goal of universal internet access in Africa.

"We know that the internet is a powerful tool for economic development," Harris said. "It can help businesses grow, create jobs, and connect people to the world."

Harris also announced a new initiative geared toward giving 100 million African people and businesses in the agricultural sector access to the digital economy. The initiative, called the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy Alliance (MADE), will start a pilot program to give digital access to 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria, before expanding elsewhere.

In addition, Harris announced that the Women in the Digital Economy efforts to address the gender divide in technology access have now generated more than $1 billion in public and private commitments, with some U.S. commitments pending congressional approval.

"We know that when women have access to the internet, they can use it to improve their lives and their communities," Harris said. "They can start businesses, access education, and connect with the world."

Harris' announcement comes as Africa struggles to receive the capital needed to build up its industrial and technological sectors. The United Nations reported last year that foreign direct investment in the continent fell to $45 billion in 2022, from a record high of $80 billion in 2021. Africa accounted for only 3.5% of foreign direct investment worldwide, even though it makes up roughly 18% of the global population.

Harris' initiatives are designed to help address this challenge by providing African countries with the resources they need to develop their digital economies. By investing in internet access and digital skills, Harris believes that Africa can unlock its economic potential and create a more prosperous future for its people.

The initiatives announced by Harris are part of a broader U.S. effort to support economic development in Africa. In recent years, the U.S. has provided billions of dollars in aid to African countries to support education, health, and infrastructure development. The U.S. has also worked to promote trade and investment between the U.S. and Africa.

Harris' initiatives are a welcome addition to the U.S. effort to support economic development in Africa. By investing in internet access and digital skills, Harris is helping to lay the foundation for a more prosperous future for Africa.