By Martin Chemhere
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for another five years, solidifying their commitment to advancing quality infrastructure development across Africa. This renewed partnership focuses on strengthening national procurement systems, aligning them with international best practices to ensure fair competition, and developing a pipeline of bankable projects 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,” stated USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong. “By combining our resources and expertise, we are delivering impactful solutions that promote high-quality, sustainable infrastructure on the continent while increasing opportunity for U.S. companies by promoting fair, transparent, and effective procurement systems.”
The renewed MOU builds upon the original agreement signed in 2018 under USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative (GPI). It places a strong emphasis on enhancing public procurement capabilities to establish transparent and efficient systems that bolster economic growth and sustainable development. A key new element of the partnership is the focus on project preparation, demonstrating USTDA and AfDB’s dedication to improving project design and ensuring project readiness.
This collaborative effort aims to leverage the competitive advantages of U.S. companies in crucial sectors such as energy, transportation, digital, and healthcare infrastructure, integrating innovative solutions into development activities. This strategic approach is designed to attract investment and ensure the successful implementation of infrastructure projects across the continent.
African Development Bank Senior Vice President Marie Laure Akin-Olugbade highlighted the importance of the continued collaboration. “This will ensure that we continue to strengthen national procurement institutions, build capacity, and ensure effective implementation of procurement programs within our regional member countries,” she said. “This fortifies our institutions’ joint ambitions to assist emerging economies in developing policies and procedures promoting best procurement practices, ultimately fostering sustainable economic growth across the continent.”
The GPI, launched in 2013, plays a crucial role in this partnership. It is dedicated to assisting public officials in emerging economies to better understand the total cost of ownership of goods and services for infrastructure projects. Promoting a comprehensive understanding of procurement processes, the GPI helps ensure that infrastructure investments are both sustainable and cost-effective.
The initiative has expanded significantly and now includes 16 partner countries, further extending its reach and impact on promoting sound procurement practices globally. The renewed MOU between AfDB and USTDA reinforces their joint commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth in Africa through improved infrastructure development and transparent, efficient procurement processes.
