Category: Stories

Women Entrepreneurs Export Duty-Free to the U.S. Thanks to Trade Hub support

Across Western Africa, women entrepreneurs often are confronted with challenges to expand their successful small businesses. Despite evidence of strong growth potential, women-owned businesses continue to encounter difficulties accessing finance and support services. They also lack information to expand their businesses beyond traditional markets. As palm oil producer and business owner Tahara Haidara Diallo recalls,… […]

Accessing the Trade Hub’s COVID-19 Response: Q&A With the Chief of Party, Michael Clements

The West Africa Trade & Investment Hub received an additional $50 million in funds allocated specifically for COVID-19 relief in the region, with $36 million for co-investment grants directly with the private sector. With this additional funding, the Trade Hub will issue grants to support West African businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with… […]

Corporate Council on Africa’s Webinar With Prosper Africa Highlights How the Private Sector Plays A Pivotal Role in Both Areas

The COVID-19 pandemic will change business as usual with regards to trade between the United States and Africa and overall economic development activities on that continent, said the Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. government’s Prosper Africa initiative. “We’ll need a new level of creativity, connection, and commitment in the coming year amidst this pandemic,”… […]

The West Africa Trade and Investment Hub’s Gender Expert Discusses Women and COVID-19

Creative’s Senior Advisor for Gender and Social Inclusion, Rebecca Sewall, sat down (virtually!) with Chioma Ukwuagu, the Gender Advisor for the USAID-funded West Africa Trade and Investment Hub, to talk about how the project’s goals of providing female entrepreneurs greater access to capital and jobs, breaking down cultural barriers in the business world and the… […]

The Nigerian private sector: bridging social impact and profitability

Written by Janey Fugate ABUJA, Nigeria –The recently launched West Africa Trade and Investment Hub aims to create 40,000 new jobs, bolster trade between the U.S. and West Africa, and foster innovation through co-investments in key sectors. Though a number of obstacles have hindered sustainable economic development, the Trade Hub’s mission is to empower… […]

Nigerian and US officials kick off West Africa Trade & Investment Hub

ABUJA, Nigeria—More than 250 Nigerian government officials, business executives, and other stakeholders officially launched the West Africa Trade and Investment Hub, which seeks to bolster trade, employment, and innovation in key sectors. The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth Leonard kicked off the Jan. 28 launch by highlighting the Trade Hub’s commitment to forging partnerships with… […]