A young scholarship recipient and her mentor in Benin.
Contacts
Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator
Sharon Cromer
Deputy Assistant Administrator
Rajakumari Jandhyala
Press Inquiries
U.S. Agency for International Development
Office of Press Relations
Ronald Reagan Building
Washington, D.C.
20523-0016
Tel: 202-712-4320
Fax: 202-216-3524
Public Inquiries
USAID Missions
Sub-Saharan AfricaUSAID in AfricaThe emerging face of Africa is one of promise and stability. Progress is being made in many areas that offer unparalleled opportunities to consolidate successes and bring about sustainable change. Nonetheless, three out of every four Africans living in poverty and the challenges that must be confronted in many parts of the continent are daunting.
On behalf of the American people, USAID responds to development opportunities in Africa to improve access to and delivery of life-saving health interventions, to support more accountable and democratic institutions, to start businesses and foster an environment attractive to private investment, and to stave off conflict and strengthen communities. USAID has missions in 23 sub-Saharan African countries that deliver assistance within their countries, as well as four regional missions that deliver assistance for cross-border activities, especially with regards to economic growth and security. In total, USAID assistance benefits 49 African countries totaling $6.4 billion in 2010, including $1.6 billion in humanitarian assistance and food aid.
Africa is a major focus for three Presidential Initiatives: Feed the Future to promote food security and economic growth; the Global Health Initiative to strengthen health systems; and the Global Climate Change Initiative to reduce vulnerability to and the effects of climate change. USAID support for democracy, good governance, peace and security provides a foundation critical to sustaining progress in these Presidential Initiatives. USAID responds quickly to humanitarian needs resulting from conflict, drought, and other crises, while building long-term, sustainable systems.
Despite significant development challenges, USAID's continued commitment to the African people has resulted in positive change. For example:
- In 2011, South Sudan became the world's newest country as a result of a democratic process determined by southern Sudanese after more than two decades of civil war.
- In 2010 Guinea welcomed the first democratically elected president in its history.
- Following 14 years of brutal conflict, Liberia held peaceful elections in 2005 and subsequently inaugurated Africa's first female head of state. Liberians are already seeing peace dividends in the form of economic growth and improved basic health and education services. The second round of elections held in 2011 were not only free and fair, but also led by Liberians.
- The economies of 17 countries in Africa including Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Tanzania are experiencing sustained growth, in contrast to an economic history marked by large budget deficits, runaway inflation, and shortages of basic commodities. Improved economic policies and more opportunities for private investment make doing business in Africa more attractive. Better policies, technologies, and capacity for trade have made many countries major agricultural exporters with defined agricultural investment and food security plans.
- Child mortality in Africa has dropped by nearly a third over the past 20 years.
- The number of people newly infected with HIV infections is decreasing for the first time since the HIV epidemic struck the continent, in large part due to improvements in knowledge and preventative practices.
- Ten African countries, including Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia, reduced the number of malaria cases and deaths by over 50 percent in the last decade.
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