Strategic commercial engagement for U.S.–AU Trade and Investment

The African Union is a market of nearly 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of over $3 trillion across its member states. Despite the enormous U.S.-Africa trade potential, barriers like limited awareness of American business practices, insufficient business networks connecting U.S. and African firms, and market access obstacles that directly limit trade and investment flows has kept trade levels low. Our previous commercial diplomacy initiatives show that direct engagement between U.S. and African companies, supported by U.S. commercial expertise, can drive measurable increases in business partnerships and investment capacity.The U.S. Mission to the African Union (USAU) public diplomacy section invites proposals that advance U.S. commercial diplomacy by strengthening U.S.-Africa trade and investment ties and expanding opportunities for U.S. companies in African markets. Programs must clearly support U.S. economic interest, expand opportunities for U.S. businesses, and promote U.S. best practices while delivering mutual economic benefit.The target audience include business associations, private-sector intermediaries, commercial institutions and other stakeholders that can facilitate and expand U.S. business engagement.Project goal: the goal of this program is to deepen U.S.-Africa economic ties by expanding trade and investment connections. The program objectives include:• Expanding U.S.–Africa trade and investment connections.• Promoting innovation and technology transfer using U.S. solutions.• Increasing economic opportunities in ways that support U.S. commercial engagementPossible activities may include business matchmaking, U.S. experts led commercial focusses workshops, sector-specific engagements designed to include U.S. market presence, and activities that address market access constraints affecting U.S. businesses.Projects must show measurable outcomes such as new business linkages, MOUs, commercial networks and investment flows. Succes

Eligibility

• Funded by State-mission

Award details

Award range: $5K – $25K. Applications close on June 8, 2026.

Categories

Research Innovation