In 2020 every $1 USTDA invested in its programs generated $112 in U.S. exports. USTDA has facilitated $74 billion in U.S. exports since its founding in 1992, supporting 4,000 infrastructure activities in 139 countries.
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced grant funding for a feasibility study to support Dark Fibre Africa (DFA’s) efforts to expand reliable and affordable internet access and digital services to underserved populations living outside of South Africa’s major urban centers. DFA is a South African wholesale open-access fiber infrastructure and connectivity provider.
“USTDA has a strong record of supporting South Africa’s top infrastructure priorities, and this is particularly the case in the information and communications technology sector, where U.S. companies offer high-quality, innovative solutions,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “Our partnership with DFA reflects USTDA’s commitment to bridge South Africa’s digital divide through partnership with American industry.”
The USTDA-funded study will evaluate the technical and economic viability of expanding DFA’s fiber network into peri-urban and rural areas, as well as modelling sustainable business cases and scenarios for delivering connectivity infrastructure for customers in these markets.
“The U.S. government is committed to building stronger ties between South Africa and the United States through the work of agencies like USTDA,” said Todd Haskell, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Mission in South Africa. “We recognize the transformative impact that digital connectivity can have on the South African people, which is why we are fully supportive of this initiative. Investing in secure and reliable connectivity will also strengthen the resiliency of South Africa’s economy.”
“USTDA’s feasibility study will help shape how we extend internet access and digital infrastructure to the less-connected,” said Vino Govender, Chief Strategy, M&A and Innovation Officer at Dark Fibre Africa. “We are taking a holistic approach. By aggregating demand for digital services using shared infrastructure, we believe we can create a business case for connecting customers in underserved areas.”
This project supports Access Africa, USTDA’s initiative to support the development of inclusive, secure, and sustainable ICT across Africa, and the U.S. Government’s Prosper Africa initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the U.S. and Africa.
U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded feasibility study should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
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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 | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency issued its latest project resource guide for U.S. industry, highlighting more than $1.8 billion in information and communications technology activities in Central America and the Caribbean. The resource guide provides detail on 17 opportunities where U.S. firms can supply cutting-edge technologies including cybersecurity, smart cities, broadband infrastructure and digital connectivity.
“USTDA’s resource guide builds on President Biden’s efforts to promote sustainable and resilient infrastructure in Central America and the Caribbean,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “Our goal is to link U.S. companies to the region’s most viable ICT sector opportunities and for our overseas partners to benefit from the world-class solutions that U.S. companies have to offer.”
The resource guide profiles critical information for the 17 activities, including implementation timelines, costs and financing, export opportunities for U.S. firms, and contact information for the project sponsors. Also available to U.S. industry is USTDA’s ICT project resource guide from Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Later this year, USTDA’s series of ICT resource guides will expand to include volumes covering the Andean region and Mexico.
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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 | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency welcomed Indonesia as its 13th partner under the Global Procurement Initiative: Understanding Best Value (GPI). Under this partnership, USTDA will train public procurement officials to obtain the greatest value for money for Indonesia’s public infrastructure investments. Indonesia’s induction into the GPI was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between USTDA and the Government of Indonesia’s National Public Procurement Agency, Lembaga Kebijakan dan Pengadaan Barang/Jasa Pemerintah (LKPP).
“USTDA’s partnership with Indonesia will support the country’s efforts to ensure fair, transparent procurements and increased international competition for its public tenders,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “USTDA has a rich history of partnership with the Government of Indonesia, and we believe that cooperation on public procurement will lead to higher-quality and more resilient infrastructure for the Indonesian people. We look forward to the continued positive transformations that the GPI will facilitate.”
Under the partnership, USTDA will lead trainings in the United States, Indonesia and virtually on international best practices and the integration of best value methodologies in public procurement. The trainings will be carried out in coordination with the George Washington University Law School’s Government Procurement Law program and U.S. expert practitioners with extensive procurement experience in government, the private sector and higher education. The training will deepen Indonesia’s workforce professionalization and use of fair, transparent value-based procurement methodology. Priority subjects will include public-private partnerships and sector-specific procurement related to energy, and information and communications technology.
Chargé d’Affaires for the U.S. Mission in Indonesia, Heather Variava, said: “The partnership we formalize today reflects the United States’ commitment to the growing significance of the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership with respect to the security, stability and prosperity of both countries.” She added, “Our strong bilateral relationship is undergirded by the trade and investment ties that contribute to peace and stability in the entire Indo-Pacific region.”
Dr. Ir. Roni Dwi Susanto, Chairman of LKPP said: “Over three years of conversation and dialogue have culminated in this exciting moment, bringing together LKPP and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency as official partners. Through hard work and dedication we have arrived at this point and look forward to taking the next step to learn, incorporate and build upon global best practices with respect to government procurement.”
Launched in 2013, USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative: Understanding Best Value is dedicated to assisting public officials in emerging economies to better understand the total cost of ownership of goods and services for infrastructure projects. The Initiative now includes 13 partner countries.
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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 | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a feasibility study grant to the Sofia Municipality that will support the delivery of energy efficient heating services to Sofia’s one million residents. USTDA’s assistance will develop a comprehensive roadmap to upgrade and refurbish the infrastructure of Sofia’s district heating company, Toplofikacia. The Sofia Municipality selected Kansas-based Black & Veatch Management Consulting to carry out the study.
“President Biden recently stated that nations that work together to invest in the cleaner economy will reap rewards for their citizens,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “Our partnership with the Sofia Municipality is a perfect example of this, as it will support sustainable, climate-smart infrastructure that will serve the heating and energy needs of Sofia’s citizens for decades to come. USTDA’s engagement will also create export opportunities for American suppliers to provide technologies that will help considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
USTDA’s grant will assist the Sofia Municipality in enhancing Toplofikacia’s operations, infrastructure, and financial condition through the development of a roadmap for phased upgrades to its district heating plants. The project is expected to play a critical role in increasing Toplofikacia’s energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova, noted: “the Municipality expresses gratitude to USTDA and the U.S. Embassy for their support in modernizing Toplofikacia. This grant will help restore confidence in Toplofikacia and ensure cleaner air in Sofia.”
U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria, Herro Mustafa said: “The U.S. Mission to Bulgaria is proud to partner with the Municipality of Sofia as they transform their energy infrastructure. This partnership builds on our bilateral energy cooperation and secures quality heating services for the people of Sofia.”
This project advances USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure, which connects U.S. industry to major clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects in emerging markets.
Since 1992, USTDA has supported more than 50 projects in Bulgaria.
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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 | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency initiated a multi-year training initiative to support quality infrastructure planning in Jamaica. Under its Global Procurement Initiative: Understanding Best Value (GPI), USTDA is partnering with Jamaica’s Ministry of Finance and Public Service to train procurement officials on best value methodologies that will lead to more sustainable infrastructure, cost savings over time and greater economic growth.
“USTDA is changing how emerging markets procure their infrastructure. Our partnership with the Government of Jamaica is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate across the Americas how the use of life-cycle cost analysis and best value procurement methodologies can support quality infrastructure,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “USTDA truly believes in our partnership with Jamaica, and we share a common vision and shared priorities toward effective use of public funds.”
Under the partnership, USTDA will lead trainings in both the United States and Jamaica on international best practices and the integration of best value methodologies in public procurement. The training will be carried out in coordination with the George Washington University Law School’s Procurement Law program and U.S. expert practitioners with extensive procurement experience in government, the private sector and higher education.
John McIntyre, Charge d’Affaires at U.S. Embassy Kingston, said: “The United States is committed to building stronger ties with Jamaica through initiatives like USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative, which will lead to stronger and more sustainable results for the Jamaican people. We commend the Government of Jamaica’s commitment to building better infrastructure and strengthening their procurement practices. By utilizing open, fair, and transparent procurement standards, Jamaica will also attract more companies to bid on its infrastructure projects.”
Launched in 2013, USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative: Understanding Best Value is dedicated to assisting public officials in emerging economies to better understand the total cost of ownership of goods and services for infrastructure projects. The initiative now includes 12 partner countries, and USTDA continues to review requests from additional countries to participate in the GPI.
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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 development 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 | (703) 875-4357
