USTDA generates an average of $231 in U.S. exports for every dollar it programs. Since its inception, the Agency has supported more than $120 billion in U.S. exports to infrastructure projects in emerging economies, helping companies create good-paying jobs across the United States.
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a feasibility study grant to Applus PNG Ltd. (Applus+ PNG), a technical services provider across multiple sectors, to help expand access to critical medical supplies across Papua New Guinea. Specifically, USTDA’s study will support the development of a network of healthcare distribution centers from which unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will deliver medical supplies to rural communities. Applus+ PNG selected California-based Zipline International Inc. to conduct the study.
“USTDA’s partnership with Applus+ PNG reflects a shared commitment to deploying bespoke, highly innovative solutions to meet the infrastructure needs of our partners. This project will help transform the delivery of critical healthcare services for the people of Papua New Guinea, no matter where they live,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “We look forward to building this partnership and working with U.S. industry to further expand USTDA’s robust programming in the Pacific Islands.”
Approximately 85% of Papua New Guinea’s population resides in rural regions where insufficient transportation infrastructure, inclement weather, and security challenges can inhibit the timely delivery of critical health supplies such as vaccines, anti-snake venom and blood supplies. Using UAVs to deliver medical supplies from healthcare distribution centers will help overcome this challenge while ensuring that cold-chain goods are readily available in facilities lacking on-site refrigeration.
Adam Alessandrino, Applus+, Executive Vice President for the Pacific region said, “We are excited to be part of this project, which will allow us to explore an innovative, technology-driven solution aimed at transforming healthcare delivery in Papua New Guinea. This feasibility study is a crucial step in our mission to harness cutting-edge technology to address complex challenges. We are grateful for the support and look forward to the advancements this study will bring.”
CEO and co-founder of Zipline, Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, said: “Zipline’s technology has been used by governments in numerous countries to achieve extraordinary improvements in population health, like a 56% reduction in maternal mortality in Ghana. We’re confident that this technology can enable even greater impact in Papua New Guinea, and we’re excited to explore the possibility of bringing our UAV network to this side of the world.”
USTDA’s study advances the Administration’s commitment to enhancing the U.S.-Pacific Islands Partnership, as well as priorities like the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the USTDA-led Pacific Islands Infrastructure Initiative, U.S.-Southeast Asia and Pacific Aviation Cooperation Program, and the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability in Papua New Guinea.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced that it has awarded a feasibility study grant to Namibia’s Javilian Civils (Proprietary) Limited (Javilian) that will support the expansion of digital infrastructure across Southern and Central Africa. Specifically, USTDA’s assistance will help enable the delivery of reliable, high-capacity internet to tens of thousands of people in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Namibia. Javilian has selected Maryland-based Total Impact Capital to conduct the study.
“USTDA is proud to partner with Javilian to address the need for affordable, reliable, and secure internet connectivity, bringing the benefits of the digital economy to rural and underserved communities,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “This support for high-quality digital infrastructure aims to create economic opportunity and open new avenues for innovative U.S. solutions to meet the region’s digital needs.”
The study will assess the deployment of a terrestrial fiber backbone and accompanying access infrastructure to connect inland areas to subsea cables along the Atlantic Coast. In addition to reaching new communities, the new infrastructure will provide a land-based redundancy to aging subsea cables, which experience frequent cable breaks, often leading to slow broadband speeds and unreliable connections. This access will ultimately drive economic growth and promote digital inclusion throughout the region.
“Javilian Civils is honored to be empowered by USTDA in the quest to help bridge the digital divide on the African continent and, in particular, sub-Saharan Africa,” said Jacques Nienaber, Javilian’s CEO. “Access to fast and reliable internet will not only contribute to better education and health services, but also enable economic activity, thereby alleviate poverty and bring about much needed improvement in the standards of living for communities in the region. We look forward to working with like-minded individuals, institutions and organizations to achieve this objective.”
USTDA’s assistance aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities, including the Digital Transformation with Africa initiative for expanded access to an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet; the Prosper Africa initiative; the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa; and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced the signing of a feasibility study grant to Nigerian renewable energy provider GVE Projects Limited (GVE) to support the deployment of solar minigrids with battery energy storage systems in up to 150 underserved communities across Nigeria. The project will focus on delivering reliable power to healthcare facilities and approximately 855,000 people living outside of Nigeria’s urban areas. GVE selected Colorado-based Odyssey Energy Solutions, Inc. to carry out the study.
“USTDA’s partnership with GVE has the potential to increase access to life-saving health care across Nigeria while creating opportunities for the deployment of innovative U.S. technology,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “Access to reliable and affordable electricity is vital to lift up communities and power their healthcare infrastructure. This is a priority for us because healthy people are the foundation of a healthy economy.”
In Nigeria, 70% of rural residents lack access to electricity, which can limit the ability of healthcare facilities to provide essential services. Through the installation of solar minigrids, this project would replace diesel generators, reducing carbon emissions and energy costs. The inclusion of battery energy storage systems and smart meters would increase efficiency and reliability, helping healthcare facilities to power essential functions like medical devices, cold storage for vaccines and medications, and lights to enable continuous healthcare delivery.
“We are honored to be receiving this phenomenal support from USTDA,” said Ifeanyi Orajaka, CEO of GVE. “This will scale our energy access impact footprint by seven times in alignment with our vision of boldly leading Africa’s sustainable energy transition through home-grown innovation and global strategic collaborations.”
USTDA’s support for the project advances USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, Power Africa Initiative, and Prosper Africa Initiative.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced that it has awarded a grant to Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Finance for a feasibility study to help state-owned utility Côte d’Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) deploy a power grid emergency control system. This system, expected to be the first of its kind in Africa, will increase access to electricity and help stabilize the national grid to mitigate and prevent blackouts throughout the country. CI-Energies has selected Washington State-based Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) to conduct the study.
“USTDA’s partnership with Côte d’Ivoire continues to grow. Our latest collaboration is a significant step toward strengthening reliable energy access in the country,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “This project not only addresses Côte d’Ivoire ’s immediate energy needs but also supports regional energy integration and expands opportunities for U.S. companies to provide their technologies and services.”
The USTDA-funded study will support CI-Energies’ deployment of a smart grid control system, known as a remedial action scheme, which will automatically detect and correct abnormal system conditions to maintain system reliability. Along with creating more reliable access to electricity for Ivorians, the system is intended to help integrate renewable energy sources into the power grid by balancing power generation with consumption in real time. It will also assist with regional energy market integration throughout the West African Power Pool, with the potential for replication in other countries.
“The feasibility study of the RAS system is a first on an electrical system in Africa, and CI-Energies is honored to carry out such a study within the framework of the technical support of USTDA,” said Mr. Noumory Sidibe, Director General of CI-Energies. “This grant will allow us to strengthen the efficiency and resilience of the Ivorian electricity grid by minimizing the risk of large-scale disturbances. We have high expectations regarding the study’s results and are confident in the capacity of SEL selected to carry out this study.”
U.S. Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Jessica Davis Ba, said: “This collaboration demonstrates the deep and enduring partnership between the United States and Côte d’Ivoire and our commitment to shared prosperity for all Ivoirians. A stronger national electricity grid means better service, cheaper energy, and greater opportunities for industrial development and American investment.”
USTDA’s support for this project also advances the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure and the U.S. government’s Power Africa and Prosper Africa initiatives.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
Arlington, VA – On the occasion of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), USTDA announced new funding commitments to promote the export of innovative U.S. technology in support of mitigation and adaptation priorities in emerging economies.
“Our partner countries are moving toward clean and renewable sources to meet their energy security needs, while focusing on more resilient infrastructure to manage the impacts of weather events and natural disasters,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “USTDA’s tools are designed to help mobilize capital and deploy innovative U.S. technology for our partners’ climate infrastructure priorities.”
During COP29, USTDA announced the following:
- USTDA awarded a feasibility study grant to state-owned utility Côte d’Ivoire Energies to support the implementation of a power grid emergency control system, the first of its kind in Africa. The system will increase electricity access, help mitigate and prevent blackouts and facilitate renewable energy integration into the power grid.
- The Agency awarded a feasibility study grant to Nigerian renewable energy provider GVE Projects Limited to support the deployment of solar minigrids with battery energy storage systems in up to 150 underserved communities across Nigeria. The project will focus on delivering reliable power to healthcare facilities and communities outside of Nigeria’s urban areas.
- To promote grid resilience and efficiency across sub-Saharan Africa, USTDA approved funding for a series of events, including a workshop and multiple reverse trade missions to the United States, that will connect U.S. and African industry leaders and facilitate the modernization of electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure in the region.
USTDA’s latest programming supports its Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure. Launched in April 2021, this initiative connects U.S. industry to major clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects in emerging economies. Since the founding of the Partnership in 2021, USTDA has funded more than 100 climate-related activities to facilitate the export of U.S.-made clean energy and climate mitigation and adaptation technologies to emerging economies. This includes support for critical minerals projects that strengthen clean energy supply chains.
The Agency’s funding commitments will leverage U.S. manufacturing and clean energy investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act, to support U.S. jobs through the deployment of world-leading U.S. innovation to emerging economies around the world.
The new activities announced during COP29 advance key U.S. foreign policy priorities including Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, which is delivering game-changing projects to close the infrastructure gap in developing countries; Prosper Africa; the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa; the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity; and the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience initiative.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov
