The US First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Namibia and Kenya from Wednesday, February 22nd to Sunday, February 26th to strengthen the United States’ partnerships on the African continent, and advance our shared priorities in the region.
This will be Dr. Biden’s sixth visit to Africa, first visit to Namibia, and third visit to Kenya
Dr. Biden’s engagements will focus on the empowerment of women and youth, efforts to address food insecurity, and promoting shared democratic values.
The visit follows the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit late last year where Dr. Biden hosted a two-day spousal program.
Biden visited Africa five times as second lady, including a 2011 stop at the largest refugee camp in Kenya as thousands fled Somalia.
This will mark her third trip ever to Kenya and first to Namibia, making her the most senior US official to travel to the country since then-Vice President Al Gore visited in 1996.
The Biden administration has sought to bolster its relationships with African countries at a time when Russia and China have made inroads in the region, which is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Last year, president Biden hosted nearly 50 African leaders at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, where he announced billions of dollars of investments relating to financing and bolstering democracy.
President Biden also said he was “eager” to visit Africa in 2023, adding, “‘Some of you invited me to your countries. I said, ‘Be careful what you wish for because I may show up.’”
The White House has yet to detail when President Biden might visit Africa. Vice President Kamala Harris is also expected to travel to the continent in the coming months.
![Pope Francis speaks at an audience with the Democratic Republic of Congo's authorities, diplomats, and representatives of civil society in the on Jan. 31, 2023. At right is President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo. [Photo: Vatican Media]](https://www.ugstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/pope-360x180.webp)
