Who We Are

Our Mission

The Trade Hub partners with U.S. and West African private sector firms to generate new private sector investment in key sectors to create jobs and increase trade between the United States and West Africa, including through increased utilization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

This activity comprises two main components: (1) design and administration of a grant-making facility (Co-Investment Fund) for private sector partnerships, and (2) technical assistance that directly supports qualifying recipients (partners and grantees) to achieve USAID’s trade and food security objectives.

Through our Co-Investment Fund and technical assistance, we improve companies’ abilities to expand business operations, increase productivity, and create jobs that build on the talents and aspirations of West Africa’s growing population.

The Trade Hub also collaborates on specific commercial opportunities with firms, service providers, research organizations, and other business network actors to access private capital that will contribute to the creation of large-scale jobs, exports, and investment.

Our Funding Partners

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.

Prosper Africa is the U.S. Government’s initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa. The initiative brings together services and resources from across the U.S. Government to help businesses and investors get market insights, access deal support, and explore financing opportunities.

Our Implementing Partners

The Trade Hub is implemented by a consortium of highly experienced organizations led by Creative Associates International based in Washington, D.C.

Creative Associates International is a leading implementer of global development programming with proven expertise in economic growth and grants administration and a strong presence in West Africa. Creative provides overall program implementation and administers and manages grants. Around the world, Creative works with underserved communities by sharing expertise and experience in education, elections, economic growth, citizen security, governance, and transitions from conflict to peace. Creative was founded in 1977 and is minority-owned and operated.

Dalberg, an innovative private sector firm experienced in developing blended finance models and equity funds in West Africa, with a focus on women entrepreneurs. It assists with the design of private sector partnerships and technical assistance for the Trade Hub.

Pragma is a U.S.-based small business with expertise in facilitating trade, increasing competitiveness, and creating sustainable jobs. Pragma supports the Trade Hub in creating private-sector partnerships and meeting African Growth and Opportunity Act requirements.

Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture is the Trade Hub’s key agricultural partner with current programming in Nigeria and past experience in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and other Feed the Future target countries in West Africa. Based in Washington, it leads the award and management of research and development grants in Nigeria for the Trade Hub.

Connexus Corp., headquartered in Virginia, is a consulting firm that designs sustainable, market-based development strategies to connect local economies with global markets. It oversees public-private partnerships for the Trade Hub.

Fraym is an innovative U.S. small business specializing in data and satellite imagery. It supports monitoring, evaluation, and learning for the Trade Hub through geographic information systems solutions