Arlington, VA – Today, Enoh T. Ebong, Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, joined Vice President Kamala Harris in Lusaka, Zambia, for an event focused on increasing digital inclusion and access to the digital economy across Africa. During the event, Vice President Harris issued a call to action to business and philanthropic leaders to make direct investments and social impact commitments for digital inclusion.

“USTDA is enabling affordable digital infrastructure in Zambia and across the continent by partnering with local stakeholders and leveraging U.S. expertise and innovative technical and financial solutions,” said Director Ebong. “The true potential of Africa’s digital economy will be unleashed once affordable, reliable internet connections reach every corner of the continent. During this visit, and in support of the Vice President’s call to action, I look forward to deepening our partnership with African stakeholders in pursuit of our common goal of economic growth and advancing the development of sustainable infrastructure.”

USTDA has supported more than 100 project preparation and partnership building activities that have furthered the growth of Africa’s digital infrastructure. The Agency’s current portfolio includes recent support for the expansion of fiber backbone and access network infrastructure in East and Central Africa, as well as last-mile connectivity infrastructure in Southern Africa to help bridge the digital divide.

USTDA’s support for Africa’s digital infrastructure advances the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the U.S. government’s Digital Transformation with Africa initiative to expand digital access on the continent, and the Prosper Africa initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa.

Director Ebong previously traveled to Zambia in August 2021 to lead the U.S. Presidential Delegation to President Hakainde Hichilema’s inauguration.

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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.

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