The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), extending their strategic partnership for another five years. This renewal highlights their shared commitment to advancing high-quality infrastructure development across Africa by strengthening national procurement systems and aligning them with international best practices, creating a fair and competitive environment for international participation. Additionally, the MOU formalizes its collaborative efforts to build a pipeline of bankable projects that are eligible for USTDA’s project preparation grants.
“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 on the continent while increasing opportunities for U.S. companies by fostering fair, transparent, and effective procurement systems.”
– Enoh T. Ebong, Director, USTDA
The renewed MOU places significant emphasis on enhancing public procurement capabilities, focusing on establishing transparent and efficient systems that drive economic growth and sustainable development. A new aspect of the partnership centers on project preparation, demonstrating AfDB and USTDA’s dedication to improving project design and readiness. By leveraging U.S. companies’ competitive strengths in sectors such as energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, and healthcare, the partnership aims to integrate cutting-edge solutions into development projects. This strategic approach seeks to attract greater investment and ensure the successful execution of infrastructure initiatives across Africa.
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Meanwhile, the original MOU, signed in 2018 under USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative (GPI), has already yielded notable advancements. The renewed agreement builds on these achievements to deepen collaboration.
“This renewal ensures that we continue strengthening national procurement institutions, building capacity, and effectively implementing procurement programs within our regional member countries,” an AfDB representative remarked. “This partnership aligns with our joint ambition to support emerging economies in developing policies and procedures that promote best procurement practices, ultimately fostering sustainable economic growth across the continent.”
Launched in 2013, GPI supports public officials in emerging economies by enhancing their understanding of the total cost of ownership of goods and services for infrastructure projects. To date, GPI has engaged with 16 partner countries, emphasizing procurement processes that deliver value and support sustainable development goals.
Finally, the AfDB and USTDA partnership exemplifies the power of global collaboration in driving economic transformation, fostering innovation, and promoting inclusive growth for Africa’s future.
