EXIM Chair Lewis Joins Vice President Kamala Harris in Africa As She Announces New $500 Million EXIM MOU with Tanzania

Chair Lewis Participates in Zambia Roundtable with VP and Business Leaders, Also Gives a Keynote Speech at AmCham Kenya on Women’s Empowerment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2023
Media Contact Name/Phone
Office of Communications (202-469-1550/202-730-6639)

WASHINGTON – During her trip to Africa this week, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the Government of Tanzania will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate up to $500 million in U.S. export financing to Tanzania to deepen the commercial relationship between the two countries. The MOU will support exports in a variety of sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, digital technology, climate and energy security, and power generation and distribution projects. EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis traveled to Zambia and Kenya this week in support of Vice President Harris’ mission, meeting with business leaders, government representatives and partners to expand EXIM’s footprint on the continent.

“We are thrilled to play a role in strengthening and deepening the commercial relationship between Tanzania and the United States through this new MOU,” said Chair Lewis. “Facilitating U.S. exports to Sub-Saharan Africa is one of EXIM’s core mandates, and we are deeply committed to support US exporters, large and small, in doing business with African nations. I was honored to have the chance to travel to Kenya and Zambia this past week in support of Vice President Harris’ mission and am heartened by the relationships that were formed and continued to grow during this visit.”

In Lusaka, Zambia on Saturday, Chair Lewis attended a discussion of business and philanthropic leaders convened by Vice President Harris on public and private sector investments to expand access to digital services and promote digital inclusion across the African continent. The Vice President issued a call to action to the leaders to make direct investments and social impact commitments in support of the Digital Transformation with Africa Initiative (DTA) launched by President Biden. While in Zambia, Chair Lewis also attended a lunch alongside the U.S. delegation with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and participated in discussions with U.S. private sector exporters and Zambian business leaders. On Sunday, Chair Lewis also attended a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales.

Earlier in the week, Chair Lewis traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, to the AmCham Business Summit as part of a U.S. delegation led by Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Don Cravins Jr, alongside United States Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh Ebong and other government representatives. During the summit, Chair Lewis gave a keynote speech that opened a panel on empowering women in business. During the two-day conference, Chair Lewis met with U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman, Kenya President William Ruto, and cabinet and principal secretaries from Kenyan ministries, and business leaders.

Chair Lewis giving a speech.Roundtable discussion

 

ABOUT EXIM:

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the nation’s official export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. To advance American competitiveness and assist U.S. businesses as they compete for global sales, EXIM offers financing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. As an independent federal agency, EXIM contributes to U.S. economic growth by supporting tens of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. Since 1992, EXIM has generated more than $9 billion for the U.S. Treasury for repayment of U.S. debt. Learn more at www.exim.gov.