U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF)

Congratulations to the 2024 finalists of the African Women Entrepreneurship Program – Reimagined (AWEP-R)! 🎉 In partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, this initiative empowers African businesswomen with funding and capacity-building resources to enhance their participation in international trade. Together, the Department of State and USADF awarded over $1 million in grants ranging from $50K to $100K, to support the growth and profitability of these women-owned businesses. We’re excited to see how these remarkable entrepreneurs will create pathways to prosperity within their communities and across the continent! 🌍 #WomenInBusiness #AWEPReimagined #USADF #Entrepreneurship #AfricanInnovation #USADF #AWEP #AWEPReimagined

Wisca Industrial Pvt Ltd, initially focused on automotive products, expanded into solar energy with the creation of Solar Hub Technologies to address rising demand in rural Zimbabwe. After completing the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program, Wisca’s founder Mercy Suka secured a $25,000 USADF grant to enhance rural marketing, sales, and distribution of solar photovoltaic products. With this support, the company installed over 800 off-grid solar systems, sold 1,000 smaller solar devices, and established a robust distribution network, including three new outlets and partnerships with 23 rural distributors. This expansion has improved clean energy access, enhanced livelihoods, and created jobs, benefiting underserved communities across Zimbabwe! 🇿🇼 #offgridenergy #zimbabwe #africa #partnership

Omia Agribusiness Development Group Ltd, a youth-led social enterprise, is transforming Uganda’s agricultural sector by bridging critical gaps between smallholder farmers and access to quality inputs, extension services, and market linkages. 🌱 With support from a $25K USADF grant, Omia expanded its reach, introduced educational initiatives, and improved farmers’ access to modern farming tools and techniques, positively impacting over 3,700 farmers, including 795 women. The company has seen remarkable growth, expanding to four branches, creating jobs, and boosting incomes for farmers. After being recognized with the inaugural USADF Leslie Award, Omia continues to drive sustainable agricultural development, empowering both local and refugee communities across Uganda. 🇺🇬To learn more about this initiative’s impact, visit: https://lnkd.in/eCHg_6C2 #Entrepreneurship #Agriculture #Uganda #US #Africa #YouthEmpowerment #Agribusiness

🌍 This #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek, USADF proudly celebrates the incredible entrepreneurs transforming communities across Africa! From smallholder farmers growing sustainable food systems, to off-grid energy entrepreneurs powering communities, to creatives making waves in industries like basket weaving and film production —we provide support across a wide range of sectors. Through grant funding, skills training, and mentorship, we empower entrepreneurs to create jobs, drive economic growth, and uplift their communities. Together, we’re fostering innovation and creating pathways to prosperity across the continent! 📈 #entrepreneurship #Africa #pathwaystoprosperity #womenempowerment #economicgrowth #US #Partnership

With support from The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), we are excited to partner with Naki Company on a transformative project that will expand their sunflower processing operations and empower smallholder farmers. This initiative includes the construction of a new complex to house production facilities and storage, enabling efficient processing and value addition. Through this project, Naki Company will diversify into soap production and animal feed manufacturing from sunflower seed cake, creating new income streams and enhancing sustainability.

Mrs. Atosha Victorine Magene dreamed of expanding her family farm to provide fresh, quality products beyond the village. This led her to launch Boucherie-Charcuterie Victoire in 2021, bringing high-quality meats from her farm to Bukavu. With the support of a USADF and Citi Foundation grant through the YouLima-RDC Entrepreneurship Program, she equipped her shop with refrigeration, scales, and other equipment, allowing her to offer flexible portions at affordable prices, making her products accessible even to low-income households. 🥩📈 Since then, Victoire has become a trusted name for quality meats in Bukavu, diversifying to include artisanal sausages, dairy products, and more, with a home delivery service to reach more customers. Profits have allowed her to add items like juices to her offerings, further expanding Victoire’s operations. Her business has not only met the demand for healthier, hygienic meat but has also created local jobs and empowered small producers. Through passion, perseverance, and strategic support, Madame Magene has turned her dream into a thriving enterprise, making a lasting impact on Bukavu’s charcuterie industry. 🇨🇩 #DRCongo #Entrepreneurship #Charcuterie #Partnership #Africa #Youlima #PathwaystoProsperity #US #DRC ASOP asbl

Let's wind up this week with this fact sheet about our work with the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF). Through our partnership with the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), we have promoted sustainable development and advanced economic empowerment to rural farming communities. We are proud to provide technical assistance to the Foundation's beneficiaries, supporting impactful growth across the nation.

📢 Exciting Opportunity for Namibian Entrepreneurs! USADF invites applications for grant financing and support for women- and youth-owned MSMEs, honoring the legacy of the late Dr. Hage Geingob, Former President of Namibia. Selected businesses can receive up to $50,000 in grant funding to enhance internal processes and boost competitiveness. 🇳🇦📈 📆 Apply by December 15th! For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/eUszgUBw #USADF #Namibia #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #Africa #YouthEntrepreneurship #MSMEs #DrHageGeingob

At a grant signing ceremony in Tanzania, we joined the Mbugwe Agricultural and Marketing Cooperative Society (Mbugwe AMCOS) in commemorating the award of a $98K USADF grant. This funding will support Mbugwe AMCOS in strengthening sunflower farming operations, improving economic opportunities for over 800 smallholder farmer members. 🌱 Addressing challenges like low yields, market access, and limited capital, the grant will enhance infrastructure, upgrade financial systems, and provide training in agribusiness and climate-smart agriculture. We look forward to seeing the impact on local farmers, productivity, and the cooperative’s long-term growth in the Babati district. Congratulations to Mbugwe AMCOS! 🇹🇿 #Agriculture #EconomicEmpowerment #Tanzania #Africa #PathwaystoProsperity #Sunflower

Cooperative Kanuratubonekure, a Burundian coffee cooperative with 1,557 growers managing over a million trees on 558 hectares, struggled with profitability due to limited capital, outdated infrastructure, and high transport costs. In 2021, a USADF grant enabled the cooperative to acquire essential resources, including a coffee washing station, collection centers, water systems, equipment, and a commercial truck, as well as training in financial management and post-harvest techniques. Within the first year, gross sales revenue rose by 112%, and payments to growers increased by 138%, with an additional 32% increase in payments in the second year. The truck acquisition notably cut transport time and costs. With revitalized operations, Kanuratubonekure is now on a path of sustained growth, enhancing both profitability and the livelihoods of its growers and their families. 📈🇧🇮 #burundi #agriculture #coffee #pathwaystoprosperity #economicdevelopment #US #Africa