Our Partners

Prosper Africa brings together the full suite of U.S. Government services to help U.S. and African businesses and investors identify partners, advance opportunities, and close deals. Through a whole-of-government approach, the initiative drives job creation, fuels economic growth, and advances shared prosperity for people across the United States and the African continent.

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  U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID foreign assistance helps build a safer and more prosperous world, which leads to a safer, more prosperous America. USAID hosts the Prosper Africa Executive Secretariat and implements programs to drive implementation. 

  USAID programs have directly supported more than 50 Prosper Africa deals for a total value of $2.1 billion and built a deal pipeline of more than $10 billion. In 2021, USAID will launch a new flagship trade and investment program. With upwards of $500 million in funding over five years, this continent-wide program is expected to leverage billions of dollars in new exports and investments and generate hundreds of thousands of jobs.

  As a complementary effort, USAID is also the institutional home of Power Africa, a U.S. Government initiative to double energy access across sub-Saharan Africa. Power Africa enables open market opportunities for U.S. businesses and capital ventures to partner with African providers. 

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  U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

  The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America’s development bank. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to some of the world’s most critical challenges. With a $60 billion cap on lending, the DFC contributes to Prosper Africa by providing U.S. and African companies with debt financing, partial credit guarantees, equity financing, political risk insurance, feasibility studies and technical assistance for projects with a development impact. 

  DFC currently has about $8 billion invested across more than 300 projects on the continent. These investments are building critical infrastructure; expanding access to healthcare, energy, and technology; and advancing financial inclusion, particularly for small businesses and women entrepreneurs.

  In 2020, DFC established a dedicated team of investment advisors to source and execute investment deals in Africa, and launched the Health and Prosperity Initiative to bolster health systems and support the COVID-19 response. DFC’s Connect Africa and 2X Africa also help to advance Prosper Africa’s goals.

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  U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

  The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) is the lead U.S. Government agency in promoting trade and foreign direct investment in the United States. Commerce’s International Trade Administration strengthens the international competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, ensures fair trade, sets industry standards, and ensures compliance with trade laws and agreements.

  Commerce is a key partner in Prosper Africa. In Prosper Africa’s first year, Commerce, through the work of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service and SelectUSA, directly supported more than 180 U.S. companies and foreign investors to facilitate deals amounting to more than $10.7 billion in U.S. export content between the United States and Africa.

  Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) stimulates economic recovery and growth through trade and foreign direct investment into the United States. ITA leverages the power of its U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service through a domestic network of trade specialists. Trade specialists work in 106 offices across the United States and offer business counseling to U.S. exporters in concert with the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Export-Import Bank.

  Founded in 1993, Commerce’s Advocacy Center serves as coordinator of all U.S. Government interagency efforts to advocate on behalf of U.S. firms competing for tenders issued by foreign governments and public sector entities. This role was reaffirmed in Executive Order 13630 signed by President Obama in 2012. Official Advocacy is a powerful tool to counter unfair competition and level the playing field for U.S. exporters pursuing public sector opportunities.

  Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is also a key partner in the U.S. field for targeted outreach and engagement with minority-owned businesses. The specialists in the U.S. field work hand-in-hand with ITAs global network of commercial diplomats, who help U.S. companies navigate international markets, compete, and win public and private tenders, and overcome market challenges to grow their commercial footprint.

  Commerce also works with  U.S. embassies and consulates overseas through interagency Deal Teams, which position U.S. and African companies to compete for and win opportunities. Commerce also leads the interagency in creating commercially friendly environments by promoting international standards, protecting U.S. intellectual property rights, and ensuring host government compliance with international trade laws and agreements through commercial diplomacy and advocacy.

  On the investment side, Commerce’s Commercial Diplomats also promote foreign direct investment into the United States through the SelectUSA program, which creates jobs in the United States and the country of FDI origin so all boats rise through increasing trade and investment flows.

  To promote opportunities, Commerce hosts a series of webinars organized by its domestic network and foreign posts. For more information please visit export.gov

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  U.S. Department of State

  The U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety, and economic prosperity.

  In 2019, the U.S. Government launched Embassy Deal Teams across the continent. Led by U.S. ambassadors and driven by the Departments of State and Commerce, deal teams work with the Prosper Africa Deal Team in Washington to deliver a whole-of-government trade and investment package to U.S. and African companies.

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  U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)

  The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) connects America’s private sector to infrastructure projects in developing and middle-income countries. USTDA supports Prosper Africa by promoting the participation of U.S. companies in infrastructure projects at the critical early stages when design choices and technology options are determined and defined. USTDA achieves its mission by funding feasibility studies, technical assistance, and pilot projects that integrate the expertise and innovation of American companies. It also connects African buyers with U.S. sellers through reverse trade missions, industry conferences and expert workshops. 

  Since June 2019, USTDA has funded more than 40 activities in Africa to facilitate the export of U.S. goods and services to priority infrastructure projects in the agribusiness, clean energy, healthcare, information and communications technology (ICT) and transportation sectors. The Agency’s Access Africa initiative is supporting quality ICT infrastructure across the continent, working in collaboration with the public and private sectors in Africa and the United States to advance inclusive, secure and sustainable connectivity.

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  Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)

  The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) assists in financing and facilitating U.S. exports of goods and services. The newly reauthorized bank catalyzes economic growth, builds capacity, and enhances infrastructure across Africa. 

  EXIM has supported over $18 billion of transactions in Africa since 2000 with a current pipeline of potential transactions estimated at $5 billion. In 2020, EXIM significantly expanded eligibility criteria for U.S. exporters in 10 transformational sectors. This historic policy helps level the playing field for U.S. exporters.

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  U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF)

  The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) is an independent U.S. Government agency established by Congress to invest directly in African grassroots enterprises and social entrepreneurs. USADF’s investments increase incomes, revenues, and jobs by promoting self-reliance and market-based solutions to poverty.

  USADF supports Prosper Africa by providing grants of up to $250,000 and African-delivered technical support directly to micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises across Africa and creating pathways to prosperity for underserved communities so they can become part of the continent’s overall growth story.

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  U.S. Office of the Trade Representative (USTR)

  The U.S. Office of the Trade Representative (USTR), part of the Executive Office of the President, contributes to Prosper Africa through its role in developing and coordinating U.S. trade and investment policy toward Africa. Through administering the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Program and through other engagement with the region, USTR seeks to both promote African trade and development and reduce barriers on the continent to U.S. trade and investment.  In addition, USTR coordinates U.S. Government support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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  Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)

  The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an innovative and independent U.S. foreign assistance agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty. MCC supports Prosper Africa by providing African partner nations with time-limited grants that promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and strengthen institutions. MCC’s selection criteria and annual country scorecards also incentivize policies that support a business-friendly environment across Africa.

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  U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) ensures America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. 

  DOE supports Prosper Africa by providing African nations with technical, regulatory, and policy assistance to enable energy development and promoting energy trade and investment between the U.S. and Africa through strong bilateral energy relationships.

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  U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

  The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) leads the U.S. Government’s efforts to improve working conditions and fight labor exploitation around the world. 

  DOL advances Prosper Africa by supporting business climates that foster the welfare and rights of workers across the African continent.

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  U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP)

  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) facilitates lawful international travel and trade. 

  DHS/CBP supports Prosper Africa by taking a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into one coordinated and supportive activity.

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  U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) ensures that the United States has a safe, efficient, and modern transportation system. DOT supports Prosper Africa through capacity-building initiatives on governance-related matters in the transport sector. These include technical assistance workshops on good regulatory practices for safety and fuel efficiency, transportation infrastructure planning and financing, cross-border transport, and the integration of innovative technologies in the transport system. These efforts not only promote development and prosperity in Africa but also reduce trade barriers and improve the competitiveness of U.S. industry.

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  U.S. Department of the Treasury

  The U.S. Department of the Treasury promotes the conditions that enable economic growth and stability at home and abroad. 

  The Treasury Department supports Prosper Africa by leading engagement with multilateral development banks and the International Monetary Fund to promote economic growth, poverty reduction, debt sustainability and transparency, and good governance. The Department also supports African governments in managing public finances and safeguarding financial sectors through its Office of Technical Assistance.

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  U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

  The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) provides the military forces needed to deter war and ensure U.S. security. 

  The DOD supports Prosper Africa by helping to ensure the security of key regions, supply chains, transport lanes, and logistics hubs – all of which help to foster a business climate conducive to trade and investment.

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  U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management. 

  The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service serves over 46 countries on the African continent, providing U.S. and African companies with market information on the agricultural sector and international market; implementing trade programs that help U.S. producers and suppliers identify, maintain, and open new markets; supporting the negotiation and enforcement of trade deals; and improving partner countries’ agricultural systems and capacity for trade.

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  U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the go-to resource and voice for small businesses at the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster.

  SBA supports Prosper Africa through business counseling, loans, and grants. SBA’s services are available to small businesses and entrepreneurs across the U.S. through its extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations which include Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veteran’s Business Outreach Centers, SCORE business mentors, and lending partners. SBA was proud to host the first “Prosper Africa Business Development Forum” in November 2019 and has been supporting entrepreneurs to pursue their import/export dreams, find buyers, and access capital as part of Prosper Africa.