Enterprise-Driven Solutions to Unlock Africa’s Growing Markets

Kenyan flowers will become more prevalent in the U.S. market with new direct flights from Nairobi to New York. Here, a Kenyan flower worker prepares roses for export.

Riccardo Gangale, East Africa Trade and Investment Hub

WHY TRADE AND INVESTMENT?

The security and prosperity of the United States are linked with Africa’s like never before. Africa, a market of 1.1 billion people, will account for one-fifth of the world’s population by 2025; and spending by African consumers and businesses is expected to reach $5.6 trillion by 2025.

USAID promotes the growth of enterprises that can serve as buyers and suppliers for U.S. businesses, and create jobs that give rise to real economic growth and political stability for both the United States and our African partners. As USAID trade and investment programs support African countries on their journey to prosperity and self-reliance, they also create new opportunities for U.S. businesses, investments, and transatlantic trade.

PROSPER AFRICA

Prosper Africa is a U.S. Government initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa. The initiative brings together the full range of U.S. Government resources to connect U.S. and African companies with new buyers, suppliers, and investment opportunities. By harnessing the power of U.S. and African private sectors, Prosper Africa advances our mutual prosperity and security, fuels economic growth and job creation, and demonstrates the superior value proposition of transparent markets and private enterprise for driving growth.

USAID is proud to be an executive sponsor for the initiative, hosting the Prosper Africa Executive Secretariat, co-chairing the Prosper Africa Planning Committee, and running our own Trade and Investment programs across the continent.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT HUBS

USAID’s Trade and Investment Hubs work to reduce the cost of doing business in Africa by leveling the playing field, reducing risk, and cutting through red tape. The Hubs engage with partners across sub-Saharan Africa to:

1. Deepen regional economic integration. 
2. Promote two-way trade with the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
3. Attract investment that drives commercial expansion within the region and to global markets.

Learn more about the Hubs in East Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa.

Through the Global Shea Alliance, USAID partners with more than 20 U.S. businesses to increase the competitiveness of Africa’s growing shea industry—empowering rural women and improving the quality of products for U.S. buyers.

Scott Fontaine, USAID

AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the cornerstone of U.S. trade policy with sub-Saharan Africa. Since its implementation, AGOA has encouraged new investments, trade, and job creation in both the U.S. and Africa. It serves as a critical market entry point for U.S. businesses, buyers, and service providers into Africa’s largely untapped, growing markets. USAID is a key partner supporting African governments and the private sector to take advantage of AGOA for both strategic and developmental impact. 

AGOA-eligible countries are encouraged to develop National AGOA Response Strategies to help local companies take better advantage of AGOA provisions for duty-free exports to the United States. 

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

USAID supports Africa’s regional integration agenda by promoting the adoption and implementation of regional and international trade protocols:

1. We reduce red tape and unnecessary formalities at border crossing by supporting the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement.
2. We promote food security and regional food exports by helping East African Community partners meet international safety and quality standards that comply with the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
3. We partner with African governments to ensure that they fully adopt Global Trade Standards under the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

Our work is aligned with that of the Regional Economic Communities of the East African Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the Southern African Development Community, the Economic Community of West African States, and the West African Economic and Monetary Union. 

News and Highlights

Opening statement by USTR Ambassador Lighthizer at 2017 AGOA Forum  August 9, 2017, Lomé, Togo