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USAID Trade & Investment Programming

Get support for your trade or investment deals from experts that specialize in facilitating U.S-Africa transactions

USAID offers a wide range of programs that support U.S. and African businesses and investors in order to increase trade and investment that contributes to economic growth and job creation.

Learn more
Tool Snapshot

  • Partner agency: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

  • Provides: Technical assistance, financing and grant opportunities, market access, business matchmaking, targeted policy interventions

  • Eligibility: African businesses exporting to the U.S. and/or seeking U.S. investment; and U.S. buyers and investors looking to partner with African businesses

While services vary by country, USAID programs can facilitate transactions by: supporting companies in meeting international standards and certifications and accessing preferential trade arrangements, such as AGOA; advocating for policy reforms that improve the business climate, facilitate trade, and open up sector specific opportunities; providing firm level assistance through workforce training, business planning, support in accessing finance, partner identification, and direct grants; creating new financial products and services with commercial banks, MFIs, venture capital funds, insurance, and incubator/start-ups; and, working with the public sector authorities to improve public procurement processes, develop public-private partnerships (PPPs), and support deal specific agreements, such as privatizations and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

Select programs include:

  • USAID’s West Africa Trade and Investment Hub co-invests with private sector partners with the potential to make a positive impact on the economy and leverage significant private investment. These businesses receive technical assistance before, during, and after their partnerships with the Trade Hub to ensure they can scale up and contribute to larger economic transformation in West Africa. The Trade Hub also supports research and development initiatives in Nigeria to introduce new ideas and technological advancements in the agriculture sector.
  • USAID’s Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub leverages the power of South Africa as the driver of economic growth in the region. It increases exports from countries in the southern African region to South Africa and to the United States under AGOA, facilitating virtual trade shows and business-to-business meetings. 
  • USAID Missions across Africa are home to dedicated teams focused on economic growth and trade. Through initiatives like USAID INVEST and CATALYZE, Missions reduce barriers for investors and channel private capital into key regions and sectors for better development results. For example, USAID provides transaction advisory services and technical assistance to help businesses across Africa secure investment and to help investors across the U.S. identify opportunities.

Contact Prosper Africa for more information: prosperafrica@usaid.gov