Yesterday, USAID Administrator Mark Green and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump met women entrepreneurs at a cocoa farm in Adzope, Côte d'Ivoire to discuss the Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, and overcoming economic challenges that women face. The delegation announced a renewed public-private partnership through USAID's W-GDP fund and the World Cocoa Foundation for $2 million, which will catalyze private sector investment in women workers of the cocoa industry.

Later, Administrator Green visited a women's Savings and Loan Association in Abobo to discuss USAID programming that has helped women from various ethnic groups overcome post-conflict grievances and security challenges. Green also met with local partners about the electoral landscape and the need for credible election monitoring, as well as the participation of youth and women to prevent violence and ensure transparent elections.

At the close of the day, Administrator Green, Ms. Trump, First Lady of Côte d'Ivoire, Dominique Ouattara, Vice President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Daniel Kablan Duncan, and the bipartisan U.S. Congressional Delegation led by Lindsey Graham attended a state dinner. These leaders reaffirmed their commitment WGDP, and their desire to work collectively toward building economies that invite contributions of female entrepreneurs, specifically in the fields of technology and agribusiness.