US Vice President Kamala Harris has unveiled plans to establish a new alliance aimed at extending internet access to 80% of Africa by 2030, a significant increase from the current approximate coverage of 40%.

The announcement, made on Friday, is a continuation of Harris’ previous engagements on the continent, including her visit last year, and aligns with the ongoing visit to Washington by Kenyan President William Ruto. Harris and President Ruto were scheduled to participate in a fireside discussion at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Friday, focusing on the role of public-private partnerships in fostering economic growth.

A preview of Harris’ initiatives, obtained by The Associated Press, outlines her commitment to advancing digital innovation, building on promises made during her visits to Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia.

The challenges facing African development are also highlighted.

Africa has faced challenges in securing the necessary investment to bolster its industrial and technological domains. According to a United Nations report released last year, foreign direct investment in the continent dropped to $45 billion in 2022 from a peak of $80 billion in 2021. Despite comprising around 18% of the global population, Africa only attracted 3.5% of foreign direct investment worldwide.

In addition to launching the nonprofit Partnership for Digital Access in Africa aimed at enhancing internet connectivity, Vice President Harris, a member of the Democratic Party, is introducing a new initiative aimed at providing digital economy access to 100 million individuals and businesses in the agricultural sector across Africa.

The African Development Bank Group, along with Mastercard and other organisations, will collaborate to establish the Mobilising Access to the Digital Economy Alliance (MADE). This alliance will initiate a pilot program to grant digital access to 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria, with plans for further expansion.

Harris, the United States’ first female vice president, is also revealing that the Women in the Digital Economy initiative, aimed at bridging the gender gap in technology access, has garnered over $1 billion in combined public and private pledges. Some commitments from the U.S. await congressional approval.