USTDA and African Development Bank Renew Partnership to Boost Quality Infrastructure in Africa
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), extending their strategic partnership for another five years.
This renewed agreement underscores a shared commitment to advancing quality infrastructure development across Africa by strengthening national procurement systems and aligning them with international best practices.
The renewed MOU highlights a significant focus on project preparation, reflecting both organizations’ dedication to improving project design and readiness. By leveraging USTDA’s project preparation grants, the partnership aims to develop a pipeline of bankable projects that can attract investment and drive economic growth across the continent.
USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “The extension of our strategic partnership reaffirms our shared commitment to creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for Africa. By combining our resources and expertise, we are delivering impactful solutions that promote high-quality, sustainable infrastructure while increasing opportunities for U.S. companies through fair, transparent, and effective procurement systems.”
The partnership will focus on enhancing public procurement capabilities, ensuring that African countries can implement transparent and efficient procurement systems that support sustainable economic development. By integrating U.S. companies’ expertise in sectors such as energy, transportation, digital, and healthcare infrastructure, the initiative aims to drive innovation and improve infrastructure delivery.
Marie Laure Akin-Olugbade, Senior Vice President of the African Development Bank, expressed optimism about the partnership’s future impact.
“This continued collaboration will allow us to strengthen national procurement institutions, build capacity, and implement effective procurement programs within our regional member countries. Our joint efforts will help emerging economies adopt policies and procedures that promote best procurement practices, fostering sustainable growth across Africa.”
Originally signed in 2018 under USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative (GPI), the MOU has been instrumental in assisting African governments in understanding the total cost of ownership for infrastructure projects. Launched in 2013, GPI now includes 16 partner countries and continues to promote long-term value and sustainable procurement practices.
The USTDA-AfDB partnership aims to attract investment, integrate cutting-edge solutions, and ensure the successful execution of infrastructure projects that can transform Africa’s economic landscape.
