The West Africa Trade & Investment Hub Activity catalyzed economic growth in the region by attracting private investment, strengthening business networks and boosting agricultural and trade sectors in Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and other West African countries.
West Africa’s economic potential, with a population of over 360 million, faces hurdles such as political instability, limited investment and weak business networks, hindering economic growth and development across the region. These challenges have particularly impacted smallholder farmers, limiting their production and profits and exacerbating food insecurity and poverty.
The Trade Hub employed a market-based approach to address the economic challenges in West Africa. The program expanded the agricultural sector and enhanced the production and profits of smallholder farmers through innovative farming practices and technology adoption by strengthening links between producers and markets across various value chains, including maize, rice, soybean, cowpea, and aquaculture. As part of Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative, the Trade Hub’s activities made smallholder farmers more food secure and raised household incomes.
Additionally, the program enhanced national, regional and international markets for goods like apparel, cashew, and cocoa, facilitating trade with the U.S. in leveraging the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The Trade Hub also prioritized gender inclusion, empowering women to increase household incomes, acquire new skills, and establish small businesses. Through co-investment funds totaling $60 million over five years, the program aims to attract $300 million in private-sector investment, improve business operations, and increase access to financing for exporters, ultimately driving economic growth and development in West Africa.
The Trade Hub brings together an experienced consortium of implementers and a broad network of private sector partners. The project is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by Creative Associates International. Creative’s partners include Dalberg, Pragma, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, Connexus Corp. and Fraym.
Program Achievements
The Trade Hub administered $60 million in co-investment funds to attract $300 million in private-sector investment, stimulating economic growth and development in West Africa through increased investment in agriculture, trade, and other sectors.
By employing innovative farming practices and technology adoption, the program enhanced agricultural productivity and profits for smallholder farmers in Nigeria and other West African countries, leading to increased production levels and income growth for farmers.
The Trade Hub worked to strengthen business networks and market linkages in West Africa, evidenced by increased trade volumes and partnerships among businesses, both locally and internationally, facilitating economic growth and trade expansion in the region.
The program prioritized gender inclusion and youth empowerment, to increase access to economic opportunities for women and youth in West Africa, leading to household income growth, skills development, and the establishment of small businesses, ultimately contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable development.
