Jill Biden to visit Namibia, Kenya as part of US’ ‘all in’ Africa push

The visit is part of the US’ push to step up engagement with Africa as a counterweight to China’s influence on the continent

At a summit in Washington last year, US President Joe Biden had told African leaders that the US is ‘all in’ on the continent’s future

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The first lady will highlight issues around empowering women and young people and food insecurity in the Horn of Africa. Photo: AP

Published: 11:40pm, 21 Feb 2023Updated: 3:15am, 22 Feb 2023

Jill Biden will visit Namibia and Kenya this week as part of a push by the United States to step up engagement with Africa as a counterweight to China’s influence on the continent, the White House announced on Tuesday.

President Joe Biden told African leaders who came to Washington for a summit last year that the US is “all in” on the continent’s future.

He also announced that he, his wife, the vice-president and several members of his Cabinet would travel to Africa this year, and joked that the leaders would get tired of hosting everyone.

Jill Biden is the third US official to visit, following Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

The first lady will highlight issues around empowering women and young people and food insecurity in the Horn of Africa, which includes Kenya, the White House said. She will also focus on deepening US relations with the two countries that are hosting her.