LAGOS, Nigeria – A new regional trade and investment hub funded by USAID expects to generate 40,000 nouveau, better paying jobs in agriculture and other key business networks in West Africa during the next five years, the head of the project said during a major trade conference.
Speaking during a Nov. 26 panel session at the Agra Innovate trade show, Michel Cléments, who leads the West Africa Trade and Investment Hub in Abuja, explained that the project will provide financial support and technical assistance to innovative and results-focused companies working in strategic sectors, y compris l'agriculture, apparel, services and energy.
“The Trade Hub is a public-private partnership that is a both a financial backer and catalyst for West Africa’s growth,” Clements said during a panel session called “Finance as a catalyst for the development of the food supply chain in Nigeria.”
The panel session was moderated by Nneka Eze, country director for Trade Hub partner Dalberg.
The Trade Hub is funded by the NOUS. Agence pour le développement international and is an activity of Nourrir l'avenir. It is implemented by Associés créatifs internationaux. During five years, it will leverage partnerships with the private sector to expand business operations, augmenter la productivité, strengthen competitiveness, and create jobs that will build on the talents and aspirations of West Africa’s growing youth population. Based in Abuja, Nigeria, the Trade Hub will reach Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger, et d'autres pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest.
The Trade Hub’s exhibit at the Agra Innovate trade show allowed agricultural entities and other private sector leaders to have one-on-one time with the project’s experts and leadership.
“Sponsoring and participating in the Agra Innovate event was an excellent opportunity to make inroads with the West African agricultural sector, which will be at the center of the Trade Hub’s work to foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the region,” Clements said.
Focus on women and youth
Les activités du Trade Hub favoriseront une croissance économique inclusive, créer des opportunités pour les femmes et les jeunes d’Afrique de l’Ouest d’augmenter les revenus de leur ménage, acquérir de nouvelles compétences et démarrer et développer de petites entreprises en tant que bénéficiaires potentiels et actifs. Le projet mobilisera également d’autres entités privées intéressées à investir dans les jeunes ou les femmes pour co-créer des initiatives durables pour l’emploi à long terme des jeunes et des femmes..
Les centres commerciaux de l’USAID à travers le continent ont joué un rôle déterminant dans la promotion de l’intégration économique régionale et dans la sécurisation des investissements pour de nombreuses industries africaines naissantes et en croissance.. À ce jour, les Trade Hubs ont généré quelques $600 millions d'investissements, et ce nombre continue de croître. Ils constituent la pierre angulaire des États-Unis.Loi sur la croissance et les opportunités en Afrique and key catalysts for U.S.-African trade. This new iteration of the Trade Hub in West Africa aims to generate an additional $300 millions d'investissements.
Reporting by Blessing Lass in Abuja and Karl Littlejohn in Lagos