IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
21 September 2022  
(22-7084) Page: 1/54 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of  
Intellectual Property Rights  Original: English  
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2  
OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT  
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  
The following communication, dated 13 September 2022, from the delegation of the 
United  States  of America is being circulated pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decision on 
Implementation of Article  66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement (document IP/C/28) . 
 
_______________  
 
Table of Contents  
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  1 
2   GENERAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAMS, INCENTIVES, AND PARTNERSHIPS  ... 2 
3   EDUCATIONAL AND UNIVERSITY -LED PROGRAMS  ................................ ......................  6 
4   COMMERCIAL AND LEGAL PROGRAMS TO STRENGTHEN CAPACITY  ...........................  14 
5   INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION (IPR) AND ENFORCEME NT CAPACITY 
BUILDING  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  15 
6   TRADE AND INVESTMENT POLICY, CAPACITY BUILDING, AND INCENTIVES  .............  18 
7   DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING AND INCENTIVES THROUGH PRIVATE SECTOR 
MODELS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  22 
8   PROGRAMS AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND  
FOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY  ................................ ................................ ........................  26 
9   PROGRAMING AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO ENERGY DEVELOPMENT  .....................  33 
10   PROGRAMING AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION  ....... 38 
11   PROGRAMMING AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO HEALTH  ................................ .........  42 
12   PROGRAMMING AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO BUILDING LABOR CAPACITY  .........  53 
13   PROGRAM AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION  ................................ . 54 
 
 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.  The United States of America is committed to continually enhancing its activities pursuant to 
Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement, and reporting those activities, in keeping with the guidelines 
established in the TRIPS Council 's Decision of 20 February 200 3 (document IP/C/28) . Consistent 
with th is decision, developed country Members shall provide yearly reports to least developed 
country (LDC) Members on actions taken or planned in pursuance of the commitments of developed 
countries under Article  66.2. Under this article, developed country Member s have committed 
themselves to provide incentives to enterprises and institutions in their territories for the purpose of 
promoting and encouraging technology transfer to LDC Members, in order to enable them to create 
a sound and viable technological base.  United States government funding of these multifaceted IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  activities and collaborations are incentives to the many partners in the United States that work with 
LDC recipients and institutions to promote, encourage, and enable technology transfer.  
2.  The intelle ctual property (IP), trade capacity training, development assistance, educational, 
financing, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure -related programs described in this report are integral 
elements of the efforts of the United States to support LDCs in foster ing the necessary environment 
to encourage the effective, voluntary transfer of technology to LDC Members. No report can 
represent every activity that directly or indirectly incentivizes enterprises and institutions for the 
purpose of promoting and encoura ging technology transfer. This report attempts to describe many 
significant activities and programs and to convey the breadth and depth of efforts by the United 
States.  
3.  The United States government attaches great importance to providing incentives to help LDCs 
obtain technology transfer. A key element to this objective is that the United States government, in 
collaboration with many other national and regional government agencies and IP organizations, such 
as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WI PO), works to assist LDCs to improve the 
functioning and utilization of their IP systems to promote economic, social and cultural development. 
Our goal is to help LDCs establish an environment that attracts and sustains technologies that 
address local need s and are valued in local markets. The strengthening of IP protection is an 
essential measure to promote technology transfer.  
4.  Much of the United States government research conducted by federally operated laboratories 
and federally funded research and devel opment (R&D) centers results in inventions or findings that 
contribute to the development of new technologies and processes. Commercialization of these 
outputs can yield economic and social benefits that increase returns on the investment in federal 
R&D. 
5.  The United States continues to believe that the effective functioning of Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS  Agreement requires a robust dialogue between developed country Members and LDC 
Members. This targets incentives in a way that is most responsive to the self -identified technology 
transfer interests and needs of LDC Members. The United States encourages the efforts of the 
TRIPS  Council Secretariat and Members to organize discussions among the Members regarding 
Article 66.2 implementation.  
2  GENERAL TECHNOLOGY TRAN SFER PROGRAMS, INCENTIVES, AND PARTNERSHIPS  
6.  Through the Bayh -Dole Act of 1980, the United States Congress directed that inventions resulting 
from federally funded research be used to promote commercialization and public access through 
practical application . United States laboratories often partner with external organizations to conduct 
cooperative research and development.  
2.1  Federally Sponsored Research and Development  
7.  The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) workgroup on Lab -to-Market coordinates 
federal initiatives on accelerating and improving the transfer of new technologies from the laboratory 
to the commercial marketplace. Federal agencies implement these initiatives, which include 
development of human capital and small business innovation. The  National Institute of Standards 
and Technology prepares an annual report that summarizes government -wide technology transfer 
efforts. This report can be found at https://www.nist.gov/tpo/federal -laboratory -interagency -
technology -transfer -summary -reports . 
2.1.1   Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC)  
8.  Technology transfer is most effective when the technology is requested by the entity tha t will 
use the technology. The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) plays a key 
role in providing information about technologies that are available for licensing and the availability 
of laboratories for collaboration and partnership.  The FLC is a national network of approximately 300 
federal laboratories and centers that provides opportunities for linking laboratory mission 
technologies and expertise with the marketplace (see https://www.fe derallabs.org/ ). The FLC 
promotes technical cooperation among the federal laboratories and large and small businesses, 
academia, and federal, state, and local government agencies. FLC collaborates with organizations IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  that promote technical cooperation and w orks to improve the effectiveness of technology transfer 
through training, recognition, awards, and evaluation. Moreover, the FLC encourages technology 
transfer and, through its member laboratories, seeks partners around the world. The FLC offers a 
broad s et of tools including the ability to search available laboratory technologies, find laboratory 
expertise and facilities, and find available partnership mechanisms for different agencies. The FLC 
Toolkit is available at https://www.federallabs.org/T2 -Toolkit . 
2.1.2   Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER)  
9.  The Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program directly supports 
scientists in USAID -presence countries through instituti onal research awards typically ranging up to 
USD 200,000. US scientific agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 
National Science Foun dation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Smithsonian Institution, US Forest Service (USFS), US Department of Agriculture 's (USDA) 
Agriculture Research Service (ARS), and US Geological Survey (USGS), as well as National 
Instrume nts, General Electric, and universities and research institutes around the world, have 
partnered with scientists in developing countries through PEER awards. Since its launch in 2011, 
PEER has supported more than 370 projects in over 50 countries with a US AID investment of over 
USD 100 million. PEER aims to build capacity among local scientists and research institutions, 
strengthen research partnerships world -wide, and better translate data and evidence into policy. 
The program is implemented by the Nationa l Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Of 
the 3,000 students that are working on PEER research teams, 50 % are women. PEER researchers 
have contributed to over 900 publications and journal articles. More than 75 % of PEER awardees 
secure further  funding to continue their research in:  
a. Agriculture  
b. Biodiversity  
c. Disaster Mitigation  
d. Education  
e. Energy  
f. Family Planning  
g. Food Security  
h. Infectious Diseases  
i. Nutrition  
j. Reproductive Health  
k. Water and Sanitation  
2.1.2.1   PEER Project: Affordable Technologies for Cervical Cancer Screening – 
Mozambique  
10.  The project provided over 3,500 cervical cancer screenings using the GeneXpert HPV testing 
platform. A subset of samples was stored and tested on a novel point of care (POC) HPV test, which 
was developed by Rice University, and has the potential to dramatically decrease the costs of HPV -
based cervical cancer screening. Results were compared to those from the "gold-standard " 
GeneXpert platform. After a pause due to COVID -19 pan demic, POC testing resumed in August 2021. 
The project ran between January 2019 -June 2022.  
2.1.2.2   Strengthened Counter -Poaching in the Rungwa/Kizigo/Muhesi Game Reserve 
Complex – Tanzania  
11.  This project supported the Government of Tanzania 's counter -poaching effort . Working with the 
Tanzanian Wildlife Authority (TAWA), the project: strengthened technical skills to prevent, deter, 
and respond to poaching activities; supported mobility to and within the Rungwa Game Reserve 
complex; built capacity of the Rungwa Game Re serve wardens; and increased the impact of 
environmental law enforcement activities in the Ruaha -Katavi Landscape and more broadly within IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  Tanzania.  In particular, the project focused on SMART data collection by using smart phones or 
tablets and reporting software as a wildlife monitoring/management law enforcement tool and by 
training and mentoring on SMART and integration of the data collection and analysis platform for 
wildlife law enforcement thru September 2021. The project completed successfully with all targets 
achieved.  
2.1.3   Innovation Discovery & Testing  
12.  Generating new ideas for innovation, building evidence of their efficacy, and attracting further 
investment helps development solutions reach more people more quickly and sustainably. The 
Innovation, Tec hnology, and Research Hub in the USAID Development, Democracy, and Innovation 
Bureau serves as an incubator and accelerator of innovation. Working collaboratively with the USAID 
and our external partners, the lab 's mission is two -fold: 1) to produce breakthrough development 
innovations by sourcing, testing, and scaling proven solutions to reach hundreds of millions of 
people; and 2) to accelerate the transformation of the development enterprise by opening 
development to people everywhere with good ide as, promoting new and deepening existing 
partnerships, bringing data and evidence to bear, and harnessing scientific and technological 
advances.  
13.  The lab uses two approaches to identify promising innovations, which are then rigorously tested, 
iterated, and put in use on a broad scale for global impact. The first approach – open innovation – 
includes the Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) program, a year -round grant program open to 
nearly any individual or organization for any sector in any country where U SAID operates. Grants 
are awarded based on cost -effectiveness, evidence of impact, and the potential to scale. DIV 
assesses each applicant through the lens of these principles, commensurate to the stage or type of 
funding sought. DIV has supported 252 inno vation grants in 47 countries with 99 million beneficiaries 
since 2020 ( https://www.usaid.gov/div/about ). 
14.  The second approach is through innovation competitions, including Grand Challenges for 
Development. Th e Water and Energy for Food Grand Challenge (WE4F) is a USD 65 million joint 
international initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development 
(BMZ), the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the 
Netherlands, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and USAID. WE4F 
focuses on environmentally sustainable innovations aiming to improve energy and water efficiency 
in the agricultural sector and provides technical assistan ce and investment facilitation to help them. 
Innovators that participate in the program connect with, and provide innovations to, smallholder 
farmers and other end users (including medium -large scale farmers, cooperatives, medium -scale 
companies, and large -scale companies). WE4F helped innovators expand their sales to USD 
1.89 million in 2021. Both on their own and with the help of the Regional Innovation Hub (RIH) 
investment facilitation teams, innovators mobilized nearly USD 7 million from external source s – 
USD 4 million within climate financing – in 2021. This is on track with the combined Middle East and 
North Africa (MENA) and South and Southeast Asia (S/SEA) RIH target of USD 7.8 million. WE4F 
innovators helped smallholder farmers and other end -users produce more than 250,000 tons of food 
while saving more than 8 million kWh of energy. By using WE4F 's water - and energy -efficient 
innovations, renewable energy, and climate resilient practices, farmers and food companies can 
enhance their climate resilien ce, reduce CO2 emissions, and support the goal of limiting global 
warming to 1.5  degrees Celsius. 47% of the innovators contributed toward climate adaptation and 
50% offered climate mitigation innovations.  
15.  Below are details on two RIH 2022 programs:  
a. Ghana - MotoMeds: Providing Essential Night -time Healthcare to Children by University of 
Florida (https://www.ufl.edu/):  Diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, and malaria are the 
leading causes of mortality for children under five, even though inexpensive trea tments 
may be available. Poor communities struggle to access treatment for children —especially 
at night when treatment options are scarce. Rapid treatment can prevent the need for 
increased interventions such as emergency care that may be limited, expensiv e, and risky. 
The University of Florida 's MotoMeds program is a pediatric night -time telemedicine and 
medication delivery service that provides effective, low -cost treatments to young children 
in need of after -hours healthcare. MotoMeds offers free access to a night -time telephone 
medical line to triage cases, recommend treatment, and, when necessary, order medicine 
and a household assessment delivered quickly by motorcycles. Since 2019, MotoMeds has IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  been serving a population of nearly 18,000 children in 50  rural neighbourhoods in Haiti. 
With support from Development Innovation Ventures, the University of Florida will expand 
MotoMeds with a pilot project in Accra, Ghana, in partnership with the Ghanaian National 
Ambulance Service. This pilot aims to reduce m ortality among children under five, and to 
inform future replications of MotoMeds in Ghana and other countries.  
b. Rwanda - Evaluating Impact of FCAP on Poverty Alleviation & Citizen Engagement in 
Rwanda by MicroGrants (https://www.sparkmicrogrants.org/): Com munity -driven 
development (CDD) programs —where community members define, implement, and 
maintain externally -funded public infrastructure projects —have not significantly reduced 
poverty, despite their wide use. Studies find that CDD programs often fail to d eliver due 
to poor facilitation, low civic engagement, and other causes. To increase the success of a 
steadily scaling CDD program in Rwanda, Spark MicroGrants, in partnership with the 
Government of Rwanda and the World Bank, developed and added a new coac hing and 
facilitation component. Spark 's Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP) provides six to 
nine months of intensive coaching to elected local government officials, as well as an USD 
8,000 microgrant to fund social enterprises and subsequent proj ects or businesses chosen 
by community members. With support from Development Innovation Ventures, which 
complements funding from the Japan Social Development Fund, Spark and partner 
Innovations for Poverty Action will evaluate the effectiveness of Facilit ated Collective 
Action CDD through a quasi -experimental study. The results will inform how the 
Government of Rwanda and the World Bank could replicate the Spark Microgrants model 
in 12,000 villages across Rwanda.  
2.1.4   Science and Technology Agreements  
16.  The Unite d States of America utilizes science and technology (S&T) agreements as frameworks 
for increased international collaboration by facilitating cooperation between US technical agencies 
and foreign counterparts on topics including public health, watershed man agement, agriculture, 
environment and biodiversity protection, biotechnology, earth sciences, marine science, and 
alternative energy. These agreements support relationships that strengthen science education 
systems, build institutional and human resource c apacity, and promote a deeper appreciation of 
innovation and its role in technology transfer and commercialization. The United States supports 
programs that strengthen institutional capacity to translate research into commercial activity, while 
improving i ndividual capacity to enter labor markets (see https://www.state.gov/key -topics -office -
of-science -and-technology -cooperation/). Through these efforts, US scientific and technical agencies 
and their counterparts promote economic growth and jobs creation.  
2.1.5   Regional Programs  
2.1.5.1   Smart Infrastructure for the Mekong (SIM) – Lower Mekong Initiative  
17.  Founded in July 2013, the Smart Infrastructure for the Mekong (SIM) program offers 
governments participating in the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) an array of technical ad visory, 
capacity building, and support services related to climate -smart, environmentally sound and socially 
equitable infrastructure, clean energy development, and land and/or water resources use related to 
sustainable management of the Mekong. Through a multi-agency US government agreement, SIM 
has access to some of the US government 's best engineers, scientists, and technical and policy 
experts to support such activities. The initiative continues in 2022.  
2.1.5.2   Wonders of the Mekong – Cambodia  
18.  The activity se eks to provide technical assistance, tools and training to Cambodian natural 
resource managers to establish data collection and monitoring networks that will enhance existing 
capacity and complement ongoing projects within the Lower Mekong Basin. The objec tives are:  
a. to improve capacity for monitoring of the freshwater environment, hydrology, and fishery 
resources within Cambodia;  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  b. to gain critical biological information necessary to promote sustainable environmental 
management for key areas and fisheries, in cluding the Tonle Sap Lake to River and Lower 
Mekong Rivers; and  
c. to provide information to communities, fishery managers, and policy makers at multiple 
levels of government and civil society to support sustainable environmental pathways and 
policies.  
19.  Wond ers of the Mekong activities have addressed several key uncertainties related to 
monitoring and managing impacts to the Mekong River 's health and productivity from threats like 
overfishing, loss of biodiversity, dam -modified flows, pollution, deforestation , and climate change. 
Project results have been shared at numerous conferences, workshops, and forums including the US 
State Department 's Mekong Virtual Symposium: "An Uncertain Future: Working Towards a Thriving 
Tonle Sap ", the Stockholm Environment Insti tute webinar "Can the Mekong be Saved? ", the Mekong -
US Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogues, and a hosted discussion with the US Ambassador to 
Cambodia and delegates from the four countries of the Lower Mekong River Basin.  
20.  In FY 2022, Wonders of the Meko ng worked with local fishermen to tag and release the world 's 
largest freshwater stingray. The stingray, weighing in at 661 pounds, was officially recognized by 
the Guinness Book of Records as the largest freshwater fish in history. Wonders of the Mekong 
research results are available to the public and project activities have been featured in many national 
and international media outlets including National Geographic "New Project Targets Mekong River " 
(now a 17 -part news series), the Khmer Times "Spotlight:  Celebrating Woman in Conservation " and 
Circle of Blue "Five Bright Spots in the Mekong. " 
2.1.5.3   Government Officials and Private Sector Laud Wonder of the Mekong  
21.  Tum Nero, Director of Stung Treng Provincial Department of Agriculture, expressed appreciation 
for Wonders of the Mekong collaboration: "This was the third release of a giant stingray over the 
past two months. The first release was a 280 kg giant stingray on 2 May 2022, and the second on 
22 May 2022, was smaller at 143 kg due to cooperation between loca l communities and the Wonders 
of the Mekong. " 
3  EDUCATIONAL AND UNIVERSITY -LED PROGRAMS  
22.  US agencies such as the Department of State and USAID work closely with universities to 
promote appropriate technology transfer and knowledge sharing through academic exc hanges and 
programs that harness the intellectual power of professionals, students, and researchers to address 
challenges including climate variability, food security, and global health.  
3.1  Educational Enrolment in the US University System  
23.  The US university system constitutes a major avenue for the appropriate transfer of knowledge 
and technology. Foreign students employ acquired knowledge and skills in their home countries, and 
some continue to collaborate with their US colleagues on mutually ben eficial research.  
24.  University Enrolment by Foreign Students: during the 2020 -2021 academic year (the most 
recent data), there were 36,191 students from LDCs enrolled in US institutions of higher education, 
representing a decrease of 6 % over the 2020 -2021 a cademic year, and 3.95 % of the total US 
higher education international student enrolment. US institutions of higher education hosted many 
students from LDCs, including large numbers from Nepal (11,172 students) and Bangladesh (8,598 
students). The top five  most popular fields of study for all international students in the United States 
in academic year 2020 -2021 were Engineering (190,590); Math and Computer Science (182,106); 
Business and Management (145,658); Social Sciences (76,419); and Physical and Life  Sciences 
(75,029).  
3.1.1   International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)  
25.  In support of the Department of State 's strategic goal of enhancing economic development, the 
Education and Cultural Affairs Bureau continues its International Visitor Leadership Program t o assist IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  partner countries, including LDC member countries. Under normal conditions, IVLP projects take 
place in -person with visits to the United States. Below are programs that took place during FY 2022.  
3.1.1.1   IVLP ASEAN: Smart Cities – Cambodia, Lao PDR  
26.  Two pr ojects on this topic included participants from Cambodia and Lao PDR  and examined 
models for making cities more livable and resilient to both natural and man -made disasters. 
Participants explored how cities implement policy changes while ensuring accountab ility to citizens, 
local businesses, schools, and institutions. Participants visited several US cities to examine urban 
sustainability efforts both in climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.  
3.1.1.2   IVLP Women and Entrepreneurship – Angola, Chad, Democr atic Republic of 
Congo, The Gambia, Guinea, Haiti, Lesotho, Madagascar  
27.  In support of the Department 's strategic goal to enhance economic development, projects on 
this topic included participants from Angola ; Chad; Democratic Republic  of Congo ; The Gambia ; 
Guinea ; Haiti; Lesotho ; and Madagascar. The projects illustrated the impact of women -owned 
businesses on the US economy and explored the progress of women in participating more fully in 
the global economy. Participants visited private companie s, business incubators, financial 
institutions, schools, and mentorship institutions. They discussed the social, economic, and political 
factors that influence and encourage women as entrepreneurs and owners or managers of small, 
medium, and large -scale bu sinesses. Participants also examined leadership development, job 
creation, access to capital, marketing, education, and innovations in encouraging entrepreneurship 
in the United States. They learned about incentives for entrepreneurship offered at the fede ral, state, 
and local levels of government.  
3.1.1.3   IVLP Advancing an Open, Reliable, and Secure Digital Economy – Bangladesh, 
Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal  
28.  Projects on this topic explored the digital economy and current and potential policies to advance 
an open and secu re Internet and included participants from Bangladesh, Nepal, Rwanda, and 
Senegal. Participants met with both public - and private -sector representatives from the information 
and communications technology (ICT) arena. Private sector experts, NGO representat ives, and 
government experts from relevant agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission and 
the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, discussed the US model of 
Internet policy, details of governance, and regulatory environm ents. The project also focused on US 
efforts to combat cybercrime and increase the capacity to respond to cybersecurity threats through 
a more secure ICT infrastructure and strong public -private partnerships.  
3.1.1.4   IVLP Combating Infectious Diseases and Global P ublic Health Challenges – 
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, 
Haiti, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda  
29.  Projects on these topics supported the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and included 
participants from Bangladesh ; Cambodia ; Central African Republic ; Democratic Republic of  Congo ; 
Guinea ; Haiti; Rwanda ; Sierra Leone ; Tanzania ; Togo; and Uganda. Participants examined key 
practices in managing communicable diseases, including public informatio n campaigns, combating 
disinformation and misinformation, medical response preparedness, ongoing training for medical 
and administrative personnel, and strategies for working with international partners during a 
pandemic. In addition, the project examined steps that governments may take to prevent the spread 
of communicable diseases and to manage a continuous health crisis.  
3.1.1.5   IVLP Sustainability and the Extractive Industry – Democratic Republic of Congo, 
Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Uganda  
30.  This project focused o n best practices in the extractive industry, including labor protections, 
environmental regulations, transparency in bidding, and profit management and included 
participants from  Democratic Republic  of Congo ; Mozambique ; Sierra Leone ; and Uganda. 
Participants learned about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) as a gold standard to bring 
transparency in business and governance, and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative 
(EITI) as a global standard for the good governance of oil, gas, and mineral resources. The project IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  also addressed indigenous land rights regulations and policies that preserve human rights, sustain 
cultural diversity, protect the environment, and ensure collective survival. Participants examined 
how transp arency and accountability help ensure public trust, as well as how these same values 
promote financial stability and economic growth. In addition, the project addressed the roles of civil 
society and the media as watchdogs and catalysts for the creation an d maintenance of transparent 
and accountable government and business practices.  
3.1.1.6   IVLP Entrepreneurship and Youth Employment – Togo  
31.  This project introduced Togolese leaders to best practices in the United States to accelerate 
entrepreneurship and promote yo uth employment. Meetings focused on understanding how different 
entities work together at the federal, state, and local level to promote entrepreneurship and youth 
employment. The project exposed members of the leadership of the National Coalition for Yout h 
Employment (CNEJ) and other key decision -makers to US enterprise incubators and start -ups as 
well as public sector, NGO, and think tank leaders on innovative approaches to help entrepreneurs 
unlock private sector investment into early -stage enterprises. A leadership workshop was held to 
facilitate the development of leadership skills needed to support Togo 's emerging social 
entrepreneurship sector.  
3.1.1.7   IVLP Managing Foreign Aid and Foreign Direct Investment – Cambodia, Djibouti, 
Lesotho, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda  
32.  This project included participants from Cambodia, Djibouti, Lesotho, Malawi, Nepal, and 
Rwanda, and explored new and existing development finance avenues and identified best practices 
in analyzing and implementing foreign aid and foreign direct investment  finance options to maximize 
efficiency and minimize additional costs. Participants learned about recent US efforts to promote a 
common set of global standards for infrastructure lending and investments, explored the 
underpinnings of US support for transpa rent and sustainable financing, and examined how the United 
States uses developmental finance to advance its foreign policy interests and enhance its overall 
global economic competitiveness. Participants also discussed the US perspective on global financin g 
initiatives initiated by other countries, such as China 's "One Belt, One Road " initiative. The project 
incorporated meetings with federal agencies, think tanks, private finance companies, and donors on 
the variety of funding options available and best pr actices to secure economically sustainable 
development.  
3.1.1.8   IVLP Climate and Energy Innovation in the Caribbean – Haiti  
33.  This regional project included participants from Haiti and was developed for energy and climate 
change experts to explore policies and innov ations for achieving high levels of renewable energy 
grid integration. The project explored the role of strategic planning and climate information services 
in establishing resilient infrastructure and enabling regulatory environments to mitigate the impact s 
of climate change.  
3.1.1.9   IVLP Cooperation on Infrastructure for the Indo -Pacific – Bangladesh, Lao PDR  
34.  This EAP -SCA inter -regional project included participants from Bangladesh and Lao PDR  and 
focused on cooperation on infrastructure. The project showcased Ame rican investment and 
innovation in infrastructure. Participants met with regulators, planners, and contractors to learn how 
infrastructure is envisioned and built in the United States, as well as how Americans invest abroad 
and work with international part ners on infrastructure investment.  
3.1.1.10   IVLP Education in the Digital Age – Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Malawi, 
Mozambique, Zambia  
35.  IVLP projects on this topic included participants from Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Malawi, 
Mozambique, and Zambia where participants examined how technology is changing the US 
educational process from primary schools to universities by providing content through online 
platforms such as Blackboard, blended learning, flipped classrooms, and massive open online 
courses (MOOCs) . Participants explored how technology promotes educational opportunities for 
disadvantaged students, older adults, and rural populations and how policy makers, the private IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  sector, school administrators, and teachers evaluate, fund, and support technologic al innovation in 
classrooms.  
3.1.1.11   IVLP Environmental Engagement and the Economy for the Indo -Pacific – 
Cambodia, Lao PDR , Nepal  
36.  This project included participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR , and Nepal and explored the efforts 
of government, civil society, and priva te-sector actors to promote economic growth while protecting 
the environment. Participants met with federal officials, NGO representatives, green entrepreneurs, 
and citizen groups working to safeguard the environment. They observed how actors at the local,  
state, and federal levels engage in projects that focus locally and globally on topics involving adaptive 
lifestyles; innovative solutions to industrial and commercial challenges; emerging technologies; and 
policies related to energy, transportation and c arbon emissions, food, agriculture, commerce, and 
land use. Participants also explored initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation 
sector and US government policy on transitioning to low -emissions technologies.  
3.1.1.12   IVLP Hidden No More: Empower ing Women Leaders in STEM – Bangladesh, 
Burkina Faso, Nepal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia  
37.  This project included participants from Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Nepal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, 
Uganda, and Zambia and focused on women 's contributions to sc ience, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics (STEM) through research and development, education and teaching, leadership, and 
public policy formation. Participants explored best practices in the effective recruitment, training, 
and development of women and other underrepresented groups in STEM and learned how they can 
institutionalize opportunities for women in their own countries. The project focused on the advances 
of women 's employment in STEM fields and addressed how they are mentoring the next gener ation.  
3.1.1.13   IVLP MUSP: Sharing US Best Practices on Cross -border Electricity Trade to 
Deepen Connectivity and Energy Security – Cambodia  
38.  This regional project included participants from Cambodia and addressed US experiences in 
cross-border trade in electricity,  primarily hydropower and other renewable energy technologies. 
Participants explored the approaches of US states such as Washington, Oregon, Minnesota and 
California to sharing water resources, integrating more diverse renewable energy technologies, and 
importing hydropower from Canada. Participants met with US power market regulators, system 
operators, and energy companies to discuss trading arrangements and regulatory policies among 
US states and between the United States and Canada in support of the Lowe r Mekong Initiative 
(LMI) energy integration and connectivity objectives that support electricity integration and trade 
among LMI member countries. The project also addressed best practices on integration of markets, 
grid modernization, and integration of renewable energy, energy storage, and natural gas and other 
technologies for a modern, efficient, and secure power market.  
3.1.1.14   IVLP Preserving Cultural Heritage and Memory in the Digital Age – Bangladesh  
39.  This project provided Bangladeshi cultural historians, a cademics, and other key stakeholders 
engaged in cultural preservation projects with an opportunity to learn how technology can be utilized 
to preserve cultural memory. Participants explored research and conservation techniques, funding 
mechanisms, advocacy  methods, educational outreach efforts, and law enforcement strategies 
designed to protect vulnerable cultural sites, resources, and artifacts. They visited museums, 
historical landmarks, monuments, memorials, national parks, schools, historical and cultur al 
societies, and archival collections to experience how diverse histories and cultural heritages in the 
United States and in the world are identified, interpreted, preserved, and protected as expressions 
of personal and societal values. These visits and m eetings included discussions with academic, site 
security, and public/private sector experts who addressed cultural heritage preservation and 
protection challenges.  
3.1.1.15   IVLP Renewable Energy as an Economic Driver (with OES) – Bangladesh, Sierra 
Leone  
40.  This proj ect examined how sustainable energy development fosters global political stability and 
prosperity and included participants from Bangladesh and Sierra Leone. Meetings, site visits, and IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  activities highlighted how developing and innovating clean energy techn ologies leads to economic 
prosperity, energy matrix modernization, and environmental sustainability. Discussions focused on 
how renewable energy resources diversify sources of energy supply and allow for greater energy 
independence, thus increasing geopoli tical stability and reducing the potential for malign influence. 
Participants explored US policies; public -private partnership programs at the federal, state, and city 
levels; incubators and innovation hubs that support renewable energy and grid infrastruc ture 
sectors; and how energy innovation can strengthen local and regional economies.  
3.1.1.16   IVLP Science and Technology Entrepreneurship – Angola, Nepal  
41.  This project, which included participants from Angola and Nepal, explored models of technology 
commercialization in the United States and ways to successfully transfer scientific discoveries and 
technological breakthroughs to the market. Participants examined legal and regulatory frameworks 
as well as management and marketing strategies used to asse ss and develop innovations in diverse 
sectors such as agricultural technology, information and telecommunications, biotechnology, health, 
and advanced manufacturing. They examined initiatives and institutional arrangements that connect 
universities, busine sses, industries, and government agencies to promote cooperation in research 
and development and upgrade innovation infrastructures.  
3.1.1.17   IVLP Smart Policy - Applying 21st Century Data Analysis to Public Policy - Malawi  
42.  This project included participants from M alawi and introduced policy makers to data tools from 
many sources, including open source, geospatial, and in -situ information, and introduced methods 
for policy makers to achieve quantifiable objectives. The project addressed how to recognize "good" 
data from "bad" and why data -driven decision -making matters. Participants met practitioners in the 
field who create and curate data, and discussed best practices for interpreting and representing that 
data for policy makers, NGOs, civil society organizations, s ervice providers, and public and private 
sector stakeholders. Participants also explored how data is collected, processed, and analyzed and 
the basic ethical standards behind data collection and use. In addition, participants examined how 
decision makers a pply data to policy creation at local, regional, national, and international levels.  
3.1.1.18   IVLP Smart Ports (with EB) – Bangladesh, Djibouti  
43.  This project included participants from Bangladesh and Djibouti and explored smart ports that 
leverage appropriate polici es, tools, and new technologies to operate efficiently, sustainably, and 
safely. This project examined international port management, security and sovereignty, capacity, 
supply -chain management, technology, and best practices. Meetings, site visits, and ac tivities 
highlighted international best practices related to secure management of ports, investment 
screening and its effects on national security, legislative tools to protect critical infrastructure, anti -
corruption and good governance mechanisms, and ut ilizing smart port management as an example 
of a well -run infrastructure project (e.g. transparency of managing, recording, sharing, and storing 
data; control and oversite of cash flows; and insider threat monitoring).  
3.1.1.19   IVLP Sustainable Cities – Bangladesh  
44.  This project included participants from Bangladesh and examined the US experience with mega 
cities and how Americans address the challenges posed in terms of population density, 
transportation, urban sprawl, environmental degradation, air and water quality , noise, public safety, 
and infectious diseases. Meetings, site visits, and other activities highlighted smart technology, 
green building design, and other cost -effective, sustainable approaches to regional and urban 
planning. Participants met with profess ional counterparts to collaborate on national and international 
strategies to strengthen infrastructure, promote environmentally sound practices, and optimize 
resilience in major metropolitan areas throughout the world.  
3.1.1.20   IVLP US Approaches to Climate Change  Challenges – Bangladesh, Myanmar , 
Cambodia, The Gambia, Mauritania, Rwanda  
45.  Projects on this topic assessed US and international responses to the significant threats of 
climate change and included participants from Bangladesh, Myanmar , Cambodia, The Gambia , 
Mauritania, and Rwanda. Participants explored US governmental programs, non -governmental 
strategies, and private -sector investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  vulnerable human and natural populations at greatest risk from extreme weat her disruptions and 
longer -term physical changes. Through meetings, site visits, and other activities, participants 
assessed national, state, and local progress in the United States towards linking scientific research 
with public support for practical solu tions to improving human and ecosystem health, assuring 
adequate food and water supplies, and providing sustainable livelihoods. Participants observed 
innovations in energy and transportation systems, discussed strategies for better land and ocean 
stewards hip, and explored models for risk management and disaster -resilient infrastructure. 
Participants discussed priority areas for international cooperation and practical actions to raise 
awareness of climate change challenges and promote public engagement in e nvironmental 
conservation.  
3.1.1.21   IVLP Combating Illegal Fishing in Lakes and Coasts of Africa – Angola, 
Madagascar  
46.  This project included participants from Angola and Madagascar and focused on strategies to 
combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishi ng off the coasts and in the lakes of Africa. 
The project explored the impact of illegal international fishing fleets off the African coast. Participants 
examined the relationship between federal, state, and local programs; the underlying causes of 
illegal  fishing; piracy; fish resource management; and the regulatory and law enforcement 
frameworks available to combat IUU. Participants explored international agreements, monitoring 
efforts, and capacity -building programs intended to sustainably manage fisheri es and combat IUU 
fishing. Meetings focused on the impact on fishermen and fishmongers as a result of loss of income 
and the importance of community engagement to address the health, safety, and environmental 
concerns related to fishing communities fightin g to preserve not just livelihoods but their way of life.  
3.1.1.22   IVLP Developing and Diversifying University Partnerships – Angola, Bangladesh, 
Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea -Bissau, Liberia, Malawi, 
Senegal, Uganda  
47.  Projects on this top ic explored both the history and current state of Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States with a focus on university administration and best 
practices and included participants from Angola ; Bangladesh ; Benin ; Burkina Faso ; Democratic 
Republic of  Congo ; Guinea -Bissau ; Liberia ; Malawi ; Senegal ; and Uganda. Projects explored how 
these universities and colleges develop and maintain sustainable international partnerships, 
monetize research, and support faculty collaboration and international research. Participants saw 
successful models of transnational university partnerships, with a goal of increasing US faculty and 
student exchanges, joint research, and capacity building.  
3.1.1.23   IVLP Entrepreneurship as the Engine of Prosperity and St ability - Small Business 
Development – Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, Democratic Republic 
of Congo, Guinea, Haiti, Lao PDR , Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Senegal, 
Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda  
48.  Part of a global special initia tive that supported the US government 's interest in promoting 
private sector -led economic growth, these projects included participants from Bangladesh ; Benin ; 
Burkina Faso ; Cambodia ; Chad; Democratic Republic of Congo ; Guinea ; Haiti; Lao PDR ; Lesotho ; 
Malawi ; Mauritania ; Nepal ; Niger ; Senegal ; Sierra Leone ; Tanzania ; and Uganda. The projects 
examined the role of small business in driving sustained economic growth and prosperity and honing 
skills to encourage entrepreneurship. Participants expl ored business models that support small 
business growth and economic development to benefit local communities. Discussions and site visits 
highlighted the social, economic, legal, and political factors that encourage the development of 
private enterprise, including innovation, managerial skills, government incentives, the removal of 
barriers to growth, access to credit and venture capital, business incubators, and public -private 
partnerships. Participants examined the significant growth of business opportun ities created by the 
Internet, social media, and expansion of the global marketplace. They also examined mentoring and 
other models to encourage entrepreneurs who launch small start -up businesses.  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  3.1.1.24   IVLP The Benefits of Transparent Fisheries Management in th e Western Indian 
Ocean – Madagascar  
49.  This sub -regional project included participants from Madagascar and discussed strategies to 
increase transparency in the fisheries industry and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated 
(IUU) fishing in the Western Ind ian Ocean. Participants examined the relationship between 
international, federal, state, and local programs and policies to strengthen transparency in the 
fisheries sector; combat illegal fishing; improve fish resource management; and enhance regulatory 
and law enforcement frameworks. Meetings focused on the positive impact that effective policy 
making, international agreements, marine domain awareness and intelligence sharing, fisheries 
research, monitoring and enforcement efforts, development activities, and capacity -building can 
have on sustainable national and transboundary fisheries management. Participants explored the 
economic and environmental benefits that transparent management of fisheries can yield for 
governments, the private sector, and communi ties that depend economically on fishing. Participants 
also met with environmental experts to understand how to measure the impact of climate change 
on fisheries and develop successful policies to manage this impact.  
3.1.1.25   IVLP Promoting Best Practices on Electo ral Procedure and Management for ECZ 
Commissioners and Officers – Zambia  
50.  This project provided opportunities for Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) commissioners 
and officers to gain awareness on different best practices for conducting elections. Specifi cally, this 
project focused on transitioning from manual to electronic voting and decentralization of the 
registration process.  
3.1.1.26   IVLP ASEAN: Smart Cities – Cambodia, Lao PDR   
51.  Two projects on this topic included participants from Cambodia and Lao PDR  and ex amined 
models for making cities more livable and resilient to both natural and man -made disasters. 
Participants explored how cities implement policy changes while ensuring accountability to citizens, 
local businesses, schools, and institutions. Participant s visited several US cities to examine urban 
sustainability efforts both in climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.  
3.2  Exchange Programming from the Department of State 's Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs  
52.  The Department of State 's Bureau o f Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) designs and 
implements educational, professional, and cultural exchange programs that increase mutual 
understanding between people of the United States and the people of other countries 
(see https://eca.state.gov/ ). 
3.2.1   Additional Programming from ECA  
53.  Through its programs, ECA enables students, exchange alumni, and young adults to pursue 
higher education, leadership, and professional development opportunities globally. The Fulbrigh t 
Program sponsored approximately 8,000 participants in fiscal year (FY) 2021. These programs 
included participants in FY 2022 from almost every LDC country. The students enter the United 
States as non -immigrant exchange visitors ( "J-1"), which make them i neligible to remain in the 
United States after their studies. Thus, students participating in these education programs generally 
return to their home countries, thereby bringing back knowledge and training.  
3.3  Regional and Country Programs  
3.3.1   MoLab – Togo  
54.  MoLab is a US Embassy Togo mobile STEM (science, technology, engineering and math fields) 
learning lab. Built by young Togolese inventors, it is a vehicle filled with science, engineering, 
chemistry, and math activities. The US Embassy and Contour Global, an American energy company 
with a power plant in Togo, financed MoLab. The vehicle operates as a non -profit organization. Its 
mission is to bring STEM education to under -resourced rural schools, and it has a full calendar of 
activities.  Although the fundi ng and original program is completed/closed out, the embassy IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  continued to work with this partner, which now owns the mobile lab van, on an ad -hoc basis in 2022 
when the embassy needs to use the van for a scientific program or activity.  
3.3.2   USAID 's Girls Leader ship and Empowerment through Education (GLEE) – Mali  
55.  USAID 's Girls Leadership and Empowerment through Education (GLEE) activity addresses 
persistent gender gaps in school enrollment partly through the payment of education -related fees 
to locally based Sch ool Management Committees (SMC) via Orange Money, a mobile money service. 
GLEE collects data on the number of girls in partner schools and provides funding to cover 
distribution of school supplies, hygiene and sanitation materials, classroom furniture, rep airs or 
rehabilitation of classrooms and management offices, and installation of fences to improve school 
security. GLEE promotes transparency in the management of education -related fees that are used 
to implement the SMC 's action plan to promote girls ' education. Mobile transmission of funding also 
provides a level of secure transfer from sender to recipient.  
56.  The GLEE activity started in FY 2018. By July 2022, 170,418 students from primary and lower 
secondary schools had benefited, including enrollment of  13,285 out -of-school adolescent girls, and 
10,987 students later transitioned to formal public schools. To raise girls ' awareness of reproductive 
health, gender equality, and leadership, 9,916 facilitators, grandmothers, aunts, and teachers were 
trained. Also, 272 SMCs were sensitized on gender equality, school -related gender -based violence, 
and school safety.  
3.3.3   Learn to Read – Lao PDR  
57.  USAID supported the development of a digital Teaching and Learning Platform titled 
Khangpanya (in Lao ຄ ັ ງປ ັ ນຍາລາວ ). The digi tal platform provides access to storybooks and decodable 
readers, digitalized official curriculum textbooks with interactive quizzes, and interactive 
international resources available in both Lao and English that promote STEM learning for pre -primary 
and G rades 1 -12 school children. This digital platform can be accessed via a web browser for use 
online and on mobile devices. The program started in August 2018 and is ongoing and on track 
in 2022.  
3.3.4   Lecture Pour Tous – Senegal  
58.  In Senegal, the Lecture Pour Tou s activity scaled -up its digital platform to include more 
teachers, directors, inspectors and parents. LPT partnered with the telecommunications company 
Orange to provide teachers with credit to access distance learning training modules in a smartphone -
friendly format. The virtual training included introductory audio clips and instructional videos for 
Grades 1, 2, and 3 teachers and coaches. In addition, the program utilized text message surveys 
using Orange SMS Pro for one -way messaging and Telerivet for t wo-way communication (surveys 
and questionnaires). These messages focused on information sharing and messages to motivate 
teachers and directors to actively participate in distance learning activities. When in -person teacher 
training resumed in Spring 2021 , LPT paid 12,000 teachers and school directors their training per 
diems using the US mobile money payment company Wave. LPT  and training participants praised 
the increased efficiency allowed by using mobile money payments.  
59.  The USAID Lecture Pour Tous activity concluded in December 2021. During its five -plus years 
of programming, the program achieved the following: 40,000 preve ntion text messages to school 
personnel and education officials; 308,000 individual prevention and home -learning messages sent 
to over 121,000 stakeholders; 1,400 whatsApp messages sent to youth empowered as community 
liaisons; nine instructional videos pr oduced & aired on television; 24 radio lessons series produced 
and broadcast.  
3.3.5   Vaccine Design and Development Collaboration – Mali 
60.  The GAIA Vaccine Foundation received funding from US Embassy Bamako 's Public Affairs 
Section to foster collaboration between M alian and US Graduate Students in FY 2022. Fifteen Masters 
and Graduate students from Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako 
(USTTB) and 15 Infectious Disease and Veterinary Students from the University of Georgia 
participate d together in a 10 -week interactive web -based course on research activities in the field 
of vaccinology. The course covered topics related to infectious diseases and vaccine design and IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  development. The course featured guest speakers from both USTTB and the  University of Georgia. 
The course prioritized female students during recruitment and give them access to female doctors 
during mentorship discussions. At the end of the course, students from USTTB competed to join 
personnel from GAIA Vaccine Foundation to  attend the International Society for Vaccines (ISV) 
Annual Congress, where both an American and Malian who taught the online course will present 
research on vaccinology. The students attending the congress will learn about the latest research in 
the field  of vaccinology as well as network with scholars and researchers working in the field.  
3.3.6   Jifunze Uelewe – Tanzania  
61.  The purpose of the Jifunze Uelewe ( "Learn and Understand ") activity is to sustainably improve 
literacy and math skills for all learners in targ et regions in Tanzania in FY 2022. This activity supports 
the adoption and implementation of policies and strategies to: 1) build on the gains of the USAID -
funded Tusome Pamoja and Arithmetic and Inclusive Education activities to sustainably improve 
literacy and math skills; and 2) scale -up the recently piloted pre -primary academic school readiness 
model in the Iringa, Morogoro, Mtwara, Ruvuma, and Zanzibar regions. Begun in April 2021, the 
activity continues until October 2025. Jifunze Uelewe also supports  the Ministry of Education, 
Science, and Technology (MOEST), Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MOEVT), 
Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Department of Education 
Management Information System (EMIS) to effectivel y use the newly developed School Information 
System (SIS) – a tablet -based education management system developed with USAID support.  
62.  Jifunze Uelewe is committed to the success of its education management system. The SIS is 
not just a data entry platform, i t is a workflow management system that guides interactions for and 
between schools, communities, districts, teacher centers and Ministries to enable a data -driven 
planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning environment. "Given the pressing need for quali ty and 
timely data for decision making at different levels, the government is fully committed to resourcing 
the system with the right technicians and a strong server " – Director of ICT, Policy and Planning, 
MOEVT.  
4  COMMERCIAL AND LEGAL PROGRAMS TO STRENGTHE N CAPACITY  
63.  US agencies such as the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST), and others provide commercial law technical assistance to the 
governments and private sectors of developing and transitiona l countries. The programs are 
demand -driven and customized to address priority issues in countries ' business climates. The 
programs help improve the commercial, legal, and regulatory environments to attract foreign 
investment and promote private sector -led growth and technology transfer.  
4.1  Country Projects  
4.1.1   Community Resilience in Central Africa – DRC & CAR  
64.  USAID is extending a system of high frequency radios across south -eastern Central African 
Republic (CAR) and northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (D RC) as an early warning network 
against the LRA (Lord 's Resistance Army insurgent group) and other security threats. This program 
saves lives, reintegrates former combatants, and assists communities with recovery through trauma 
healing and economic activit ies. This program targets communities and combatants and is scheduled 
to end in 2023.  
4.1.2   Building Resilient Communities in Solomon Islands  
65.  In fiscal year 2022, USAID continues to support the International Federation of the Red Cross 
and Red Crescent to increa se the resilience of vulnerable communities in the Solomon Islands and 
expand the ability of the Solomon Island Red Cross Society (SIRCS) to support disaster risk 
management and community -based health programs. The program aims to empower government 
agenci es and targeted communities to assess and manage risks by conducting participatory capacity 
and vulnerability assessments, establishing village disaster response committees, and developing 
community action plans. Additionally, IFRC is supporting simulation  exercises, training community 
members in first aid and hygiene best practices and supporting the creation of community -based 
early warning systems.  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  4.1.3   People to People Peacebuilding Activity – Central African Republic  
66.  USAID is building capacity in Central A frican Republic communities to build and maintain peace 
within and across identity lines. It trains community members in savings and entrepreneurial skills 
to manage their financial affairs and build socioeconomic networks. The program targets local news 
organizations and the Association of Journalists for Human Rights. The project closed officially on 
June 22, 2022, and met all its targets successfully. Here are some of the project achievements:  
a. More than 3,000 people participated in workshops on healing from trauma (including 
youth, children, local leaders, and members of Savings and Internal Lending Communities 
(SILC) groups);  
b. More than 2,000 people reached by social cohesion workshops (including youth, local 
leaders, and members of the SILC grou p); 
c. 251 local leaders reached by management training on peaceful conflict;  
d. 503 couples reached by workshops on the Transformative Approach of Gender;  
e. 45 SILC groups created, with 1124 members and effective capital saved of 127,020,290 
CFA (equivalent to US D 201,938), and SILC groups continue their savings activities;  
f. 16 local socio -economic networks funded by Ita Na Ita in an amount of 8,912,000 
(USD 16,000) for income generating activities income (IGA). They have already made a 
profit of 2,157,050FCFA (USD  3,429) and their income generating activities continue. The 
networks also own the goods in kind like food in stock;  
g. 58 functional listeners ' clubs comprising 15 to 20 members each reached approximately 
30,198 people in communities affected by public event s/connectors, mass sensitizations, 
and community dialogues.  
5  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION (IPR) AND ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY 
BUILDING  
67.  US agencies, including the Department of State, the Department of Commerce 's International 
Trade Administration (ITA) (see  http://www.trade.gov ) and US Patent and Trademark Office 
(USPTO) (see http://www.uspto.gov ), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and others, 
deliver IPR technical assistance programs to LDCs to strengthen IPR systems and thus increase the 
likelihood of foreign direct investment (FDI).  
5.1  USPTO Training and Technical Assistance Collaboration with International 
Organizations  
68.  USPTO offers training and technical assistance on IPR pr otection and enforcement to many 
countries, including LDCs. USPTO supports the LDC assistance efforts of international organizations 
such as with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the World Intellectual Property 
Organization (WIPO). Fo r example, USPTO works with WIPO on its Re:Search and WIPO Green 
programs, to promote access to IPR and technical know -how for relevant policy concerns, including 
neglected tropical diseases and environmentally -friendly technologies 
(see http://www.wipo.int/research/en/  and https://webaccess.wipo.int/green/ ). USPTO also 
collaborates with ASEAN on Intellectual Property Capacity -Building Programs, covering all a reas of 
IP, in which LDCs participate.  
5.1.1   USPTO Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA)  
69.  USPTO provides IPR training at its state -of-the-art GIPA in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, and 
throughout the world. USPTO delivers targeted training to foreign IP office administrators, 
examiners, judges, prosecutors, customs officers, and other government and law enforcement 
officials. Additional support is provided by IP Attaché Officers around the world and the DC -based IP 
interagency. For more information about GIPA, s ee www.uspto.gov/gipa . IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  70.  In FY 2022 GIPA conducted more than 147 tr aining, technical assistance, and capacity building 
programs for three intergovernmental organizations and 141 different countries, including 
developing countries and LDCs. Among these efforts programming was provided for over 27 LDC 
countries. These count ries included: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, 
Myanmar , Cambodia, Comoros, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, 
Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Solomon 
Islands , Sudan, Tanzania, Timor -Leste, and Togo.  
5.1.2   USPTO IP e -Learning Modules  
71.  In FY 2022, GIPA continued its decade -long commitment to produce on -demand content 
through distance -learning modules on the USPTO website. These modules are available in five 
languages a nd cover six different areas of IP protection. In addition, self -study materials —including 
recordings of events, training slides, and IP toolkits —were updated for asynchronous learning.  
72.  This on -demand content collectively has drawn more than 176,000 unique  views, with the most 
recent videos covering patents and trade secrets receiving a combined 56,300 views.  
5.1.3   USPTO Intellectual Property Attaché Training and Technical Assistance  
73.  USPTO posts IP Attachés at select US embassies and consulates around the world. These 
Attachés work with host governments, academia, advocacy groups, international organizations, non -
governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to provide IPR technical assistance and 
capacity building programs. Programs have focused on IP R enforcement, as well as patent, 
trademark, and copyright policy engagement and best practices (see 
http://www.uspto.gov/ip/global/attache/index.jsp ). A full list of USPTO IP Attachés is ava ilable at 
https://www.uspto.gov/ip -policy/ip -attache -program . 
74.  In order to meet the growing demand for specialized knowledge and skills from Southeast Asian 
LDCs, in the second quarter of FY  2022, the IP Attaché for the Southeast Asia Office, in collaboration 
with the OPIA ASEAN Team, the Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA), US Embassy 
Phnom  Penh, and US Embassy Viet  Nam, co -organized a sub -regional training program for IP officials 
of the Cambodia Department of Intellectual Property and the Lao PDR  Department of Intellectual 
Property. Training focused on Vienna Classification of figurative/design elements of marks and the 
USPTO system of design coding; searching for conflicting marks and Nice Classification of 
goods/services, as relating to three -dimensional (3D) and motion marks; and United States 
examination of 3D and motion marks. Approximately 60 Cambodian and Lao P DR officials, including 
trademark examiners and relevant IP officials, participated in the program. USPTO also engaged 
with IP officials in Lao PDR  and Cambodia to assist in the implementation of IP initiatives and 
capacity -building programs. In January  2022, USPTO met with representatives of the Lao PDR  
Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) to discuss the new organizational structure (DIP 's move 
from the Ministry of Science and Technology to be under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, 
and the appoi ntment of the new Director General), examination capacity, e -filing system, MOUs, 
legislative updates, enforcement coordination, and future training with Lao PDR  DIP. In February 
2022, USPTO and representatives of the Cambodia Department of Industrial Prop erty (DIP) under 
the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MISTI) met to discuss cooperation 
regarding the patent acceleration program under the MOU signed between the USPTO and MISTI on 
October 2020, along with possible capacity -building programs for Cambodian patent examiners.  
5.1.4   USPTO Patents for Humanity Program  
75.  The USPTO Patents for Humanity program encourages assistance to LDCs by providing business 
incentives for patent owners and licensees to apply their technology towards humanita rian purposes. 
Participants submit descriptions of how they are improving lives in five broad categories of global 
challenges: household energy, living standards, medicine, nutrition, and sanitation. Independent 
experts review submissions and recommend awa rds. Winners receive accelerated processing of a 
patent application or certain other matters. (See http://www.uspto.gov/patentsforhumanity ). The 
latest award closed in September of 2021 and winners wi ll be announced in fall of 2022 (for more 
information, see https://www.uspto.gov/patent/initiatives/patents -humanity ). IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  5.1.5   ARIPO -USPTO IPR Capacity Building Program Series for Officials in ARIPO Member 
States  
76.  In partnership with the African Regional IP Office, USPTO provided trainings through its Global 
IP Academy (GIPA) for ARIPO (African Regional Intellectual Property Organization) Member States 
and Observers, as well as African Union r epresentatives in FY 2021.  
77.  By the first quarter of FY 2021, ten programs reached over 470 African officials through the 
ARIPO  Member States and Observers network as well as African universities and research 
institutions. Notably, in June 2021, ARIPO and USPTO conducted a program on Fostering Technology 
Transfer in Africa. Government officials, university representatives and rese archers from 15 
Sub- Saharan African countries took part in the program.  
78.  On May 20, 2022, USPTO in collaboration with the Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka, 
Bangladesh, hosted a session for university students on IP Strategy for Start -ups. In a meeting w ith 
American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), Bangladesh, it was noted that with Bangladesh on 
track to graduate from LDC status, AMCHAM seeks to partner with the USPTO South Asia office to 
re-assess and work toward creating a better IP system in Bangladesh. USPTO 's South Asia office will 
continue efforts to organize regional training sessions along with country specific IP programs.  
5.2  Country Projects   
5.2.1   Global Cybercrime, IPR, and Cybercrime Foreign Law Enforcement Training and 
Technical Assistance Initiative  
79.  A USD 15 million Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) centrally 
funded and managed, DOJ and DHS -implemented, cybercrime and IPR training program is 
administered cooperatively by INL, the DOJ Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance 
and Training (OPDAT), the DOJ Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and the 
DHS National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (Center). This centrally managed 
funding supplements existing bilateral rule  of law programs to specifically build the capacity of 
partner foreign law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and IPR crime. These programs 
operate as part of the US Transnational and High -Tech Crime Global Law Enforcement Network 
(GLEN), which feat ures: DOJ International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Law 
Enforcement Advisors (ICHIPs); DOJ Global Cyber Forensics Advisors (GCFAs); and long -term 
federal agent mentors. Under the framework of the GLEN, DOJ and DHS coordinate closely with the  
US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), who also receives INL funding designed to complement 
the GLEN, in order to develop and deliver IPR and computer crime investigative, prosecutorial, 
judicial and customs and border enforcement training and technical assistance to foreign partners 
designed to improve their capacity to cooperate with US law enforcement in matters involving 
transnational organized crime.  
5.2.2   Intellectual Property Program – Rwanda  
80.  In May 2021, the US Mission in Rwanda facilitated IP law discu ssion sessions between Professor 
Justin Hughes from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, the Rwanda Development Board, and the 
Ministry of Trade and Industry. Rwanda is in the process of creating its own Patents and Trade Office. 
Professor Hughes gave an over view of patents and trademarks and how a patent and trademark 
office runs. Professor Hughes gave his thoughts on the Government of Rwanda 's new IP law which 
the Cabinet presented to Parliament. He also conducted a geographical indication seminar focusing 
on how tea and coffee growers can take advantage of their Rwandan origins to secure IP protection. 
The program is ongoing.  
5.3  IPR Enforcement Coordination  
5.3.1   National IPR Coordination Center (IPR Center)  
81.  The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) -led National Int ellectual Property Rights 
Coordination Center (IPR Center) works to protect public health and safety and the US economy, 
and to stop predatory and illegal trade practices that threaten the global economy. The IPR Center 
brings together nearly 30 partner ag encies and organizations, including 20 federal agencies and five IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  international partners including INTERPOL, Europol, the governments of Canada and Mexico and the 
City of London Police in a task force setting. The task force structure enables the IPR Center  to 
effectively leverage the resources, skills, and authorities of each partner and provide a 
comprehensive response to IP theft and trade law violations (see https://www.iprcenter.gov/). The 
IPR Center 's Operation Joint Venture (OJV) trains domestic and i nternational law enforcement to 
build strong enforcement capabilities. The IPR Center, through the financial support of the 
Department of State 's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), provides 
IPR enforcement capacity buildin g training to many countries, including LDCs.  
82.  The IPR Center works closely with partner USG agencies, overseas Attachés, and US embassies 
to deliver training and support capacity building efforts across the globe. In FY 2022, the IPR Center 
participated in  twelve international trainings in support of country specific and regional programs 
funded by INL. More than 170 customs, police, and prosecutors attended the training programs. The 
effects of the COVID -19 pandemic continued to have significant impacts on  the IPR Center 's 
international training activities in the field, forcing IPR Center leadership to condense and move 
many of these programs to virtual platforms. Despite the impacts of the global pandemic, the IPR 
Center hosted and/or co -hosted five Region al IPR Enforcement Workshops. These workshops were 
held in Panama City, Panama (February 2022), Cairo, Egypt (March 2022), Durban, South Africa 
(May 2022), Asuncion, Paraguay (August 2022), and Nairobi, Kenya (September 2022) and included 
customs, police o fficers, and prosecutors from Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Panama, 
Paraguay, South Africa, and Uruguay. DOJ, CBP, USPTO, and other private sector partners supported 
these workshops, which were focused on interdictions, investigations, and e nforcement operations 
related to IP crime. The workshops emphasized the health and safety issues related to IP and global 
trade violations, their connection to transnational crime, and the need for broader cooperation 
between countries and agencies to disr upt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations. In FY 
2022, the IPR Center also supported DOJ/ICHIP (International Computer Hacking and Intellectual 
Property Coordinators) and USPTO -led workshops held for foreign counterparts in Algeria, Bulgaria, 
Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Senegal, Thailand, and Tunisia.  
5.4  STOPFakes.gov  
83.  The Department of Commerce 's International Trade Administration 's Office of Standards and 
Intellectual Property (OSIP) leads the StopFakes.gov program including creating r esources provided 
on the STOPFakes website (http://www.stopfakes.gov/). The website includes industry sector 
toolkits focused on IP, which provide guidance to US companies seeking to acquire, use, and protect 
copyrights, patents, trademarks, and trade secr ets in overseas markets. The STOPFakes program 
will be publishing a Clean Technology IP Toolkit for businesses on the website later this year. 
Additionally, the STOPFakes website includes 79 IP Snapshots which provide IP information about a 
foreign country  and numerous country IP toolkits with detailed insight focused on IP protections in 
foreign markets. The STOPFakes Roadshows/Webinars are designed to assist businesses with IP 
outreach and education including the dangers presented by counterfeits. For exa mple, OSIP recently 
presented to several hundred businesses focused on IP during a live US/UK Small and Medium 
Enterprises (SMEs) event.  
84.  OSIP provides IP business guidance and insight for entities as they seek to expand their 
opportunities for exporting. F urther, OSIP participated as a panelist on webinars for businesses and 
consumers seeking to provide IP information for a variety of audiences.  
6  TRADE AND INVESTMENT POLICY, CAPACITY BUILDING, AND INCENTIVES  
85.  Because most technology is developed and owned by  the private sector, technology transfers 
are often private sector decisions. Technology transfer should not be required as a precondition for 
investment.  
6.1  Investment and Trade Policy Negotiations  
86.  US bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements aim to improve the protection and 
enforcement of IP, thereby improving environments for foreign investment and technology transfer 
often associated therewith.  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  6.1.1   Bilateral Investment Treaties  
87.  US bilateral investment treaties (BITs) establish a framework of reciproca l protections that 
include the free transfer of investment -related funds, investor -state dispute arbitration rights, 
limitations on specified performance requirements, non -discriminatory treatment, protection against 
expropriation, and transparency in gove rnance. These treaties improve the climate for FDI in partner 
countries that can lead to the transfer of technology and know -how. To date, the United States has 
signed five BITs with WTO Member LDCs: Bangladesh ; Democratic Republic of  Congo ; Mozambique ; 
Rwanda; and Senegal.  
6.1.2   Trade and Investment Framework Agreements  
88.  USTR -negotiated Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) enhance trade 
relations between the United States and other countries. Over the last several years, the United 
States has launch ed 12 trade and investment agreements in Sub -Saharan Africa, including three 
bilateral TIFAs with LDCs: Angola, Liberia, Mozambique, and Rwanda. Additionally, the United States 
has launched regional TIFAs with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Afr ica (COMESA), 
East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and 
West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA); and a Trade, Investment, and Development 
Cooperative Agreement with the five countries of the Southern  African Customs Union (SACU). The 
United States also has bilateral agreements with several LDCs outside of Sub -Saharan Africa, 
including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar , Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, and Yemen, as well as 
with ASEAN and the Caribbean Communi ty (CARICOM). Together, these agreements cover 30 WTO 
LDC Members: Afghanistan ; Angola ; Bangladesh ; Benin ; Burkina Faso ; Myanmar ; Burundi ; 
Cambodia ; Democratic Republic of  Congo ; Djibout i; The Gambia ; Guinea ; Guinea Bissau ; Haiti; 
Lao PDR; Lesotho ; Madagascar ; Malawi ; Mali; Mozambique ; Nepal ; Niger ; Rwanda ; Senegal ; 
Sierra  Leone ; Tanzania ; Togo; Uganda ; Yemen ; and Zambia (see htt+ps://ustr.gov/trade -
agreements/t rade-investment -framework -agreements/ ). 
89.  The United States views trade as an effective means to encourage broad -based economic 
development. Trade constitutes an important means of sustaining momentum for economic reform 
and liberalization. It affords develo ping countries access to technologies that would otherwise be 
difficult to obtain, and simultaneously opens new market opportunities for US companies.  
6.2  Trade Preference Programs  
6.2.1   US Generalized System of Preferences Program  
90.  The US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, established in 1976, promotes 
economic development by providing duty -free access to the US market for a wide range of products 
from developing countries. GSP  promotes sustainable development in beneficiary countries via trade 
with the United States. The program is periodically re -authorized by Congress and has lapsed as of 
31 December 2020. GSP benefited 119 developing countries and territories during 
October - December 2020 and provided special, additional benefits for products from 31 
least- developed WTO Member beneficiary countries. Nearly 5,000 types of products were eligible 
for duty - free treatment under GSP, including most manufactured products (except a pparel and 
footwear), agricultural and fishery products, consumer products, chemicals, minerals, and building 
materials (see https://ustr.gov/issue -areas/trade -development/preference -programs/generalized -
system -preference -gsp). 
6.2.2   African Growth and Opportunity Act  
91.  The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expands US-Africa trade and investment, by 
promoting open markets, stimu lating economic growth, and encouraging sub -Saharan Africa 's 
integration into the global economy, while supporting progress toward good governance, poverty 
reduction, and respect for human rights through its eligibility criteria. Since the enactment of AGO A 
in May 2000, the United States has worked closely with African governments, the private sector, 
and civil society stakeholders to help them make the most of AGOA 's trade benefits. In 2015, the 
US Congress renewed the AGOA legislation for its longest exte nsion period to date, through 2025. 
The US government has actively promoted AGOA throughout Africa, developing trade 
capacity - building programs to help African governments and both African and US firms to identify IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  and develop new market opportunities thro ugh AGOA (see https://agoa.info/about -agoa/ ). As of 
July 2022, 39 countries are eligible for AGOA: Angola , Benin , Botswana , Burkina Faso , Cape Verde , 
Central African Republic , Chad, Comoros , Côte d'Ivoire , Demo cratic Republic o f Congo , Djibouti , 
Eswatini , Ethiopia , Gabon , The Gambia , Ghana , Guinea, Guinea -Bissau , Kenya , Lesotho , Liberia , 
Madagascar , Malawi , Mali, Mauritius , Mozambique , Namibia , Niger, Nigeria , Congo , Rwanda 
(limited  benefits) , Sao Tome & Principe , Senegal , Sierra Leone , South Africa , Tanzania , Togo, 
Uganda , and Zambia.  
6.2.3   TradeHub Support to Exporting Companies – Lesotho  
92.  The USAID TradeHub supported exporters in Lesotho with trade enhancing services such as 
organic certifications , US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) listing, and product testing to enhance 
their competitiveness for entry into the US market. The USAID TradeHub further supported the 
textile and apparel industry in Lesotho with best labor practices and compliance by  co-hosting an 
information webinar with Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) for apparel 
exporters. As the world 's largest independent certification program focused on the apparel, footwear, 
and sewn products sectors, WRAP is expertly placed to outline the increasing importance of social -
compliance verification in the garment industry. Social compliance certification is becoming central 
to market -entry requirements, with buyers increasingly considering humane and ethical factory 
standards, com pliance with national laws, and the treatment of garment workers. The value of the 
support is USD 49,607.18 comprising of USD 4,120.00 for US FDA listing, USD 1,306.83 for product 
testing, USD 2,180.35 for organic certification, and USD 42,000 value of sal es following organic 
certification . 
93.  Private sector partner thanks TradeHub . "I would like to thank the USAID TradeHub for being 
very supportive to us as we are now doing a photoshoot of products that we are shipping to the US 
for Amazon. " Jalad Africa, Exp orter of the Year 2022.  
6.2.4   TradeHub Support to AGOA Steering Committee – Lesotho  
94.  The USAID TradeHub supported utilization of AGOA in Lesotho by assisting the Lesotho AGOA 
Steering Committee to host an in -person capacity building workshop in Maseru on 6 April 2022. The 
workshop was attended by 21 participants, representing the Lesotho government, parastatals, and 
private sector. The core objective was to provide capacity building to improve the AGOA Steering 
Committee 's functionality, performance, and self -sufficiency to ensure utilization of opportunities 
presented by AGOA. The AGOA Steering Committee is tasked with implementing an AGOA country 
plan that is focused on seven areas: footwear, leather, and leather accessories; handicrafts; textiles 
and apparel; bo ttled water; canned foods; and natural/organic products. In support of the workshop, 
the USAID TradeHub provided technical input on the workshop design and paid for the conference 
venue and facilities. Ahead of the workshop, the USAID TradeHub shared resou rces such as AGOA 
manual videos and links to relevant webinars on US market requirements. The program 's support 
to the Lesotho AGOA Steering Committee started with the development of the Lesotho AGOA 
Implementation Strategy in 2019 and its launch in 2020. From May through August 2021, the USAID 
TradeHub provided capacity -building support at the AGOA Steering Committee bi -annual meetings, 
and in drafting the AGOA Utilization Strategy progress report to support the AGOA position paper 
for Lesotho for the AGOA  midterm review. Further, in March 2022, the USAID TradeHub sponsored 
three AGOA Steering Committee members from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Lesotho 
National Development Corporation (LNDC), and the Lesotho Textiles Exporters Association (LTEA) 
to attend the Regional AGOA Peer Learning event in Cape Town, South Africa. The USAID TradeHub 
contributed USD 1,387.84 to support hosting of the capacity building workshop.  
6.2.5   National Development Corporation (LNDC) Officials laud TradeHub  
95.  "The USAID TradeHu b has been instrumental in paving the way for the implementation of the 
AGOA Utilization Strategy. The TradeHub has contributed significantly to assist the government to 
devitrify its exports to the United States and for that we are grateful. " 
6.3  Programming from the US Trade and Development Agency  
96.  The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) helps companies create US jobs through the 
export of US goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  links US businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building 
activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic  growth in partner countries. 
USTDA achieves its mission by funding feasibility studies, technical assistance and pilot projects that 
integrate US private sector innovation into infrastructure projects at the critical early stages when 
design choices and t echnology options are determined. The Agency also connects overseas project 
sponsors with US partners through its reverse trade missions, industry conferences and expert 
workshops.  
97.  Recognizing the importance of trade to the economic growth of LDCs, USTDA w orks closely with 
its US government partners, as well as regional and multilateral development banks, to develop 
trade capacity and apply private -sector solutions to development challenges around the world. As of 
16 June 2022, USTDA has obligated USD 2,843 ,010 in appropriated funds and USD 1,490,800 in 
transfer funds from the US Department of State in FY 2022 to support assistance activities that 
enhance increased trade and investment in LDCs.  
6.3.1   USTDA Reverse Trade Missions - FY 2020 -2022  
98.  Another example of U STDA 's commitment to promoting and encouraging technology transfer to 
LDCs is through reverse trade missions (RTMs). RTMs bring key foreign decision makers to the 
United States to observe the design, manufacture, and operation of US equipment and technolog ies 
in advance of major procurements. For example, in FY 2020, USTDA approved funding for an RTM 
of delegates from Bangladeshi entities responsible for the development and maintenance of the 
country 's inland waterways and water resources. This complements the Bangladeshi government 's 
existing plans, and the RTM will familiarize delegates with the best practices and advanced 
technologies of US firms for dredging and inland waterway management. This activity has been 
paused during the COVID -19 pandemic but is  expected to restart in August 2022. In FY 2021, USTDA 
approved funding for an RTM of delegates from Senegalese and Nigerian entities to support the 
development of and access to healthcare infrastructure and services. The objective of the RTM is to 
connect  public and private healthcare institutions from Senegal and other Sub -Saharan African 
countries to US best practices, solutions, and services in the healthcare sector, with a focus on health 
IT, hospital infrastructure, and medical devices.  
6.4  Country Projec ts 
6.4.1   USAID Innovations for Social Accountability in Cambodia (ISAC) Activity  
99.  The ISAC activity uses technology to expand and enhance citizen engagement on issues of 
pressing concern for the Cambodian public through increased access to credible information, 
strengthens coalitions for collective actions, improves evidence -based policy analysis and dialogue, 
and develops effective social accountability tools using cutting edge information and communications 
technologies (ICT) in order to provide citizens with ve nues in which to hold the Cambodian 
government accountable. ISAC has four objectives:  
a. Improved information access to government decisions and processes, and the planning, 
spending, and investment of public funds;  
b. Increased citizen participation and collect ive initiative to increase accountability for public 
services;  
c. Increased utilization of new or existing technologies, enabling citizen engagement to 
increase accountability for public services;  
d. Education and outreach to raise awareness of accountability an d integrity in public 
Administration.  
100.  ISAC supported its seven local Implementation Partners (IPs) to customize and roll out digital 
tools and create digital content to improve citizen engagement and knowledge on social 
accountability. With ISAC 's support,  the IPs introduced digital tools into their activities to do online 
Information for Citizens (I4C) dissemination and meetings, especially during the COVID -19 
pandemic, which restricted large gatherings of people and traveling. Thousands of citizens learne d 
about civic rights, standard services, and local government performance and budget in the areas of IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  primary school education, health centers, and Sangkat administration from these digital tools. 
Moreover, citizens lodged complaints about public services d irectly in these digital tools for local 
authorities to address. ISAC saw an increase in the user uptake of the digital tools as citizen 
confidence in the tools rose.  
6.4.2   USAID Promoting Advocacy and Rights – Bangladesh  
101.  The USAID -supported Promoting Advocacy and Rights (PAR) activity helps civil society address 
challenges they face in the digital space and strengthen civil society 's ability to reinforce broader 
democratic values and institutions that help support political pluralism and the rule of la w. Select 
Bangladeshi civil society organizations (CSOs) and five PAR grantees are anticipated to receive 
advanced information, digital safety tools such as software installation support, a user -friendly 
manual on the Digital Security Act, and necessary sk ills to navigate through the digital space. As a 
result, CSOs and grantees that received PAR support will be able to roll out training knowledge to 
vulnerable populations such as women 's groups, gender minorities and other marginalized 
populations. These i nterventions benefit from collaboration with the USAID 's Greater Internet 
Freedom (GIF) Project and USAID 's Illuminating New Solutions and Programmatic Innovations for 
Resilient Spaces (INSPIRES) project. In FY 2022, the PAR activity organized two events o n navigating 
the Digital Security Act with media, CSO practitioners, and lawyers/prosecutors.  
6.4.3   International Cybersecurity Seminar – Burkina Faso and Other Countries  
102.  US Embassy Ouagadougou in June 2021 partnered with Germany and the George C. Marshall 
Europ ean Center for Security Studies to sponsor an international cybersecurity seminar for 
Burkina  Faso and other African partners. The Embassy nominated three Burkinabe officials covering 
cybersecurity and information services portfolios for the seminar. The t raining allowed the officials 
to gain insights into the Framework for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace, in particular on 
the value of implementing confidence building measures (CBMs) to reduce the risk of misperception 
that results from cyber disru ptions. It also allowed the officials to interact with other partners and 
to learn from one another by sharing information, best practices, and experiences.  
103.  The impact of this program in Burkina Faso has been very significant. Since terrorism first 
arrived  in Burkina Faso in 2015, attorneys shied away from taking cases of terror suspects for a 
number of reasons (social stigma, threats, inability, or low pay). However, since this program 
started, there is more and more interest because attorneys are now more  confident in their technical 
skills and feel ready to take on such cases. Moreover, in a July 2022 Juvenile Justice Workshop, the 
bar association reported that one attorney (a woman) is representing some juveniles charged with 
terrorism and is even lookin g forward to the trial. This was unthinkable three years ago when the 
program started and demonstrates how the program is advancing justice in Burkina Faso.  
7  DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING AND INCENTIVES THROUGH PRIVATE SECTOR MODELS  
104.  Through the use of the public -private partnership (PPP) model, US development agencies have 
gained additional financial resources for development activities, as well as new technologies, 
intellectual capital, and technical and managerial expertise that address emerging development 
challenges.  
7.1  Development Assistance Programming from the Millennium Challenge Corporation 
(MCC)  
105.  The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a US government corporation that forms 
partnerships with some of the world 's poorest countries, but only those committe d to good 
governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizens. MCC provides countries with large -
scale grants to fund country -led solutions for achieving its mission of reducing poverty through 
sustainable economic growth. MCC has approved over  USD 15 billion in compact and threshold 
programs worldwide that support projects in energy, agriculture and irrigation, anticorruption, 
business environment improvements, education, health, enterprise development, finance, land 
rights, trade and transport , and water supply and sanitation initiatives. MCC is currently 
implementing compact or threshold programs with six WTO LDC Members: Benin, Burkina Faso, 
Nepal, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. Currently, MCC is developing new programs with The Gambia, IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  Lesotho, M alawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, and Zambia 
(see http://www.mcc.gov/ ). 
7.1.1   MCC Togo Threshold Program  
106.  MCC's Togo Threshold Program entered into force in November 2020 and includes a 
USD 20.5 million Informat ion and Communication Technology (ICT) Project designed to improve 
citizens ' access to high quality and affordable ICT services —both mobile phone services and 
internet—by encouraging private sector investment, developing an independent regulatory regime, 
expanding service to underserved areas, and increasing the use of ICT among women and small 
businesses. The program is ongoing in 2022.  
7.1.2   MCC Power Compact – Benin  
107.  The USD 391 million Benin Power Compact entered into force on 22 June 2017, and will 
complete in June 2023 due to a one -year extension granted by Congress given the extenuating 
circumstances due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The compact seeks to unlock private investment by 
supporting policy reforms and investing in electricity generation, distribution , and off -grid 
electrification to increase business and household access to reliable electricity. The compact includes 
a strong emphasis on strengthening the independence and management of Benin 's national utility, 
reforming electricity tariffs, developing  an Independent Power Producer framework, and creating 
policies to enable off -grid electrification. The compact is modernizing Benin 's electricity distribution 
infrastructure to reduce losses, improve reliability, reduce outages, and accommodate rapidly 
growing demand. Over a twenty -year period, an estimated 10.6 million Beninese are expected to 
benefit from MCC 's investment.  
7.1.3   MCC Power Compact – Burkina Faso  
108.  The Government of Burkina Faso signed the five -year, USD 500 million Burkina Faso II Power 
Compact o n 13 August 2020. The compact is designed to address the high cost, low quality, and 
limited access to electricity. The compact consists of three related projects that also align with the 
Government 's national socio -economic development priorities, and col lectively contribute to 
increasing the supply and quality of, and expanding access to and the consumption of, cost -effective 
electricity. The Strengthening Electricity Sector Effectiveness Project focuses on energy sector 
reforms and capacity building of k ey state actors in the sector. The other two projects aim to make 
improvements to energy infrastructure: The Cost -Effective and Reliable Electricity Supply Project 
(Supply Project), and the Grid Development and Access Project. The Supply Project will suppo rt 
activities to facilitate new solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) deals, targeted infrastructure 
improvements and equipment to improve reliability, and new equipment and studies to foster 
improved regional integration for electricity imports. The Grid  Development and Access Project 
supports transmission and distribution infrastructure in and between Ouagadougou and 
Bobo- Dioulasso (which account for more than 80 % of total electricity consumed in Burkina Faso), 
as well as activities to facilitate new electricity connections for households, business, and social 
institutions and to increase productive uses of electricity. On 31 March 2022, the MCC Board of 
Directors voted to suspend MCC 's assistance to Burkina Faso as a result of the country 's recent coup 
d'état. 
7.1.4   MCC Niger Compact  
109.  The five -year, USD 437 million Niger Compact entered into force on 26 January 2 018, and will 
complete in January 2024 due to a one -year ex tension granted by Congress given the extenuating 
circumstances due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The compact addresses two major constraints to 
economic growth and investment in Niger: lack of access to water for productive uses, and physical 
access and insti tutional barriers to trade. In partnership with the Government of Niger, the compact 
is increasing rural incomes by improving the sustainable, productive use of natural resources for 
agricultural production and improving trade and market access for agricul tural products. The 
compact is expected to benefit approximately 3.9 million people. In February 2019, Radar 
Technologies International (RTI), in partnership with representatives from the University of Nevada 
Las Vegas (UNLV), contracted with Millennium Ch allenge Account – Niger (MCA -Niger) to conduct a 
remote sensing and hydrological analysis of 260,000 km2 of Niger 's ground water basin. The purpose 
of this work was to map out aquifer recharge potential across the study area and to develop models IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  to verify  those findings and demonstrate their sustainable rate of use. MCA -Niger coordinated the 
technical oversight of these studies through a working group comprised of experts from ministries, 
universities, and the private sector responsible for managing Niger 's groundwater resources. This 
same working group will benefit from formal technical training led by UNLV representatives over the 
course of the coming year to ensure that the results and underlying science of these complex studies 
are fully understood and appropriately integrated into Niger 's groundwater management planning 
and policies.  
7.1.5   MCC Power Compact – Senegal   
110.  The five -year, USD 550 million Senegal Power Compact entered into force on 
9 September  2021. The compact is designed to strengthen Senegal 's power sector, by increasing 
reliability and access to electricity, and aims to help the Government of Senegal establish a modern 
and efficient foundation upon which the nation 's power system can grow. One project supports 
energy sector policy and institutio nal and regulatory reform through robust sectoral training and 
technical assistance programs, as well as through a performance incentive program which will 
employ a results -based financing approach. The compact also allows for an upgrade of the 
high- voltage transmission network in and around Dakar through a second project, allowing for 
deployment of grid stabilization technology and installation of what is expected to be the longest 
subsea electric cable in Senegal. Another project will benefit the energy sector through the expansion 
of rural electricity access through distribution network upgrades and enhancements to 
consumer - side elements. Ensuring consistent and affordable access to energy in Senegal will allow 
businesses to grow, catalyze private secto r investment, increase productivity and employment, and 
ultimately support diversification and growth of Senegal 's economy. The program is ongoing in 2022.  
7.1.6   MCC Health and Horticulture Compact – Lesotho  
111.  The USD 300 million Lesotho compact was signed on 12 May 2022. It is comprised of four 
projects designed to combat constraints to economic growth by strengthening private sector 
participation and improving government coordination, planning, and execution. The Health Systems 
Strengthening Project aims to stre ngthen the delivery of primary health care services, improve 
efficiency of government expenditures, and address the unique needs of gender -based violence 
treatment and referral. The Market -Driven Irrigated Horticulture Project aims to catalyse private 
sector investment in horticulture through investments in irrigation infrastructure and regulatory 
reform, while creating transparent and sustainable access to land and water. The Business 
Environment Project aims to develop a sustainable and inclusive business  ecosystem and pipeline 
that includes creating a participatory decision -making process for the provision of critical services 
by the government to the private sector. The American Catalyst Facility for Development Project is 
a joint effort between MCC and the US International Development Finance Corporation to identify 
opportunities to further invest in Lesotho 's private sector. The projects include women and youth 
empowerment strategies to ensure inclusive growth.  
7.2  Global Development Alliance Model  
112.  Since 20 01, Global Development Alliances (GDAs) have been USAID 's premier model for 
public -private partnerships, helping to improve the social and economic conditions in developing 
countries and deepen USAID 's development impact. As the private sector plays an inc reasingly 
critical role in shaping sustainable economic and social development, USAID continues to engage 
corporations, local businesses, financial institutions, investment firms, private foundations and 
others as core partners in our efforts to drive econ omic growth, reduce poverty, and improve 
business outcomes in developing countries. In addition to a strong and essential focus on 
development impact, GDAs have several other core characteristics, including:  
a. Based on complementary interests and objectives;  
b. Market -based approaches and solutions;  
c. Extensive co -creation and shared responsibility; and  
d. Private sector contributions for increased impact . IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  7.3  Country Projects  
7.3.1   US Technology for Energy Access and Minigrid Development – Benin  
113.  In FY 2021, USTDA funded technical assistance to provide a proof of concept for a US-made 
digitalized system for solar minigrid management in Benin. The project is anticipated to support 
economic development and greater social and economic inclusion by gen erating new renewable 
energy and providing energy access to thousands of people living in rural communities in Benin. The 
activity was obligated in FY 2021 and is estimated to be completed in 2022.  
7.3.2   Regional Sub -Saharan Africa: Affordable Internet Expansion  in Southern Africa - 
Democratic Republic of Congo; Mozambique  
114.  USTDA approved funding for a feasibility study for South African internet service provider 
Jenny Internet (Pty) Ltd that will assess the economic and technical viability of expanding 
connectivi ty infrastructure in South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, Mozambique, and the Congo, 
Democratic Republic of. The study will support the expansion of affordable internet connections to 
rural areas in the target countries utilizing wireless technologies to lowe r the cost of international 
data transit. US firm Connectivity Capital (San Francisco, CA) will carry out the study. This activity 
was obligated in FY 2022 and is expected to be completed in October 2022.  
7.3.3   East Africa Enterprise Solutions – Uganda  
115.  USTDA fu nded a feasibility study to help SEACOM Limited (a regional submarine 
communications cable operator) expand and improve access to telecommunications services in 
Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. USTDA 's study will help determine where to expand ICT 
infrastructure in East Africa, assess the market for fibre telecommunications services, and 
recommend potential investments in areas including fibre optic cabling and network equipment. The 
feasibility study is underway and is expected to be completed by Augus t 2022.  
7.3.3.1   Private Sector Praises USTDA  
116.  SEACOM 's Chief Development Officer Suveer Ramdhani said, "USTDA has been a valued 
partner to SEACOM since its early beginnings and has been fundamental to the launch and growth 
of the Internet in Africa. " 
7.3.4   Sukaabe Janngo  – Senegal  
117.  USDA -Foreign Agriculture Service funded the McGovern -Dole project that was implemented 
by Counterpart International. The objectives of the program are to: increase the number of students 
and attendance rates by providing nutritious daily school  meals for preschool and primary school 
students; improve health and dietary practices by providing access to deworming medications and 
increasing knowledge of safe food preparation and storage practices; improve school infrastructure 
and increase access t o clean water and sanitation by rehabilitating latrines and water station 
systems; and improve the literacy of school -age children through the provision of improved quality 
of literacy instructional materials and improved pedagogical capacity of teachers.  
118.  The project also seeks to increase the capacity of government personnel to guide, implement, 
and maintain school feeding programs; and to increase engagement of local organizations and 
community groups to build capacity and establish Sustainability Action Plans (SAPs). In response to 
the COVID -19 pandemic, USDA authorized distribution of 420 metric tons of food as emergency 
take-home rations to 47,767 McGovern -Dole students. USDA also donated deworming and vitamin 
A medication to the Regional Health Service s for 55,000 vulnerable children under the age of five, 
including 5,740 McGovern -Dole preschool children.  
119.  Through the provision of nutritious daily school meals and deworming medications for 
preschool and primary school students, improved quality of litera cy instruction, and increased 
knowledge of safe food preparation and storage practices, Sukaabe Janngo has improved student 
literacy and increased student use of appropriate health, nutrition, and dietary practices.  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  7.3.5   ASTER – Burkina Faso  
120.  USAID provides assi stance to improve and secure access to land for vulnerable people in the 
Centre -Nord, Sahel, and Est regions. Since 2019, USAID has supported the establishment, staffing, 
and effective operation of rural land tenure service offices and village land tenure councils through 
ASTER, the USAID land tenure security activity. Implemented by the local organization National Land 
Observatory (ONF -BF), ASTER improves secure access to land for vulnerable groups in Burkina Faso, 
particularly women and youth, and promote s peaceful management of land conflicts in rural areas. 
It uses two inclusive and participatory approaches, Mobile Application to Secure Tenure (MAST) and 
People to People (P2P). MAST is used to strengthen rural land governance through delivery of land 
property rights certificates, while P2P is used to improve arbitration and mitigation for land conflicts 
arising from agriculture, pastoralism, and mining. USAID developed MAST, a smartphone application 
that improves efficiency, reducing time and costs associ ated with land titling and mapping in rural 
areas. Following a successful pilot using the MAST technology, USAID ASTER extended its use to 
27 communes across three regions (Centre -Nord, Sahel, and Est) of Burkina Faso in the resilience 
zones of implementat ion. As of 30 September 2021, 1,094 potential rural parcels of land were 
mapped and integrated into the MAST platform for potential rural land ownership certificates. Of 
these, 254 APFRs were signed, 294 minutes were issued, and 547 requests for verificati on of land 
possession were being processed. It is expected that 2,700 rural land ownership certificates will be 
produced by the end of the activity. The conflict -sensitive P2P approach, recently integrated into 
ASTER, uses dialogue, pacific interactions, p eace, and trust building within the community, working 
with the village land tenure councils, traditional land chiefs and religious leaders ' groups, women, 
youth, farmers, herders, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities to manage land -
related conflict and promote social cohesion. MAST and P2P improve the enabling environment for 
long-term investment in land to improve agricultural productivity and enhance sustainable 
livelihoods. USAID would like to see the MAST technology adopted and exp anded in other parts of 
Burkina Faso. The program spans FY 2021 -2022.  
8  PROGRAMS AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD 
SAFETY AND SECURITY  
8.1  Agricultural Technology Transfer Programming from the USDA   
121.  To facilitate technology transfer, t he US Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses contractual 
instruments such as Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), invention 
licenses, and material transfer agreements, and supports public dissemination of research results. 
USDA pursues patent protection and licensing only when a private sector partner is needed for 
effective technology transfer. Generally, this occurs when the complementary assets needed to 
manufacture, market, and distribute a new technology are provided by a commercial  partner that 
must protect its investment. The USDA annual report on technology transfer provides details about 
the mechanisms used for technology transfer and types of technologies transferred 
(see https://www.ars.usda.gov/ott/technology -transfer -annual -report/ ). 
8.1.2   Agricultural Technology Transfer Programming from the ARS  
122.  By sharing knowledge and technology through close collaboration with national and 
international research institutions to increase research capacity and speed technology development, 
USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) continues to transfer technology and enhance 
international trade and diplomacy in fiscal year 2022 (see https://www.ars.usda.gov/ott/technology -
transfer -annual -report/ ). 
8.1.3   Feed the Future Initiative (FTF)  
123.  FTF is  the primary US global hunger and food security initiative that continues in fiscal year 
2022. It supports country -driven approaches to address the root causes of hunger and poverty in 
target countries: Bangladesh ; Congo, Democratic Republic of ; Ethiopia ; Ghana ; Guatemala ; 
Honduras ; Kenya ; Mali; Nepal ; Nigeria ; Senegal ; and Uganda. Through this initiative, the 
United  States  of America  helps countries transform their agricultural sectors to grow enough food 
sustainably to feed their people and build resilien ce to shocks like drought or extreme weather. As 
a result, food aid can be used for unforeseen catastrophes rather than for chronic food insecurity or 
predictable cycles of drought or flooding. Technical experts in nutrition have been brought together IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  from agencies including ARS and USAID, and from the private sector, to guide and coordinate efforts 
around food security (see https://ww w.usaid.gov/what -we-do/agriculture -and-food-
security/increasing -food-security -through -feed-future ). FTF catalyzes technology transfer through 
agricultural -led economic growth and development by bridging the gap between innovative 
agricultural productivity solutions and sustainable market demand; improving the enabling 
environment for market led growth; and linking large commercial institutions with smallholder 
partners.  
8.1.3.1   Digital Development for FTF (D2FTF)  
124.  D2FTF is a collaboration between the USAID Global Development Lab and Bureau for Food 
Security to demonstrate how leveraging digital technology holistically and according to best practices 
can improve the cost effectiveness and development results of the US government 's FTF Initiative. 
D2FTF is focused on four categories of digital tools, based on evidence of their impact:  
a. precision agriculture (including sensor technology);  
b. digital financial services;  
c. data-driven agriculture; and  
d. ICT-enabled extension.  
125.  D2FTF is scaling the use of these tools in LDCs through various methods of engagement 
including: technical assistance to FTF programs, capacity building for FTF teams, and strengthening 
the knowledge base on best practices. The program is focused primarily on  FTF target countries and 
continues in fiscal year 2022 ( https://www.usaid.gov/digitalag ). 
8.1.3.2   FTF - Mboga na Matunda – Tanzania  
126.  The purpose of Mboga na Matunda is to increase the competitiveness and inclusivene ss of the 
horticulture sector, while improving the nutritional status of Tanzanians through:  
a. scaling improved technologies and practices that lead to increased productivity of 
smallholders, including large numbers of women and youth, in targeted commoditie s; 
b. scaling market system models able to reach large numbers of direct and indirect 
beneficiaries, including vulnerable populations, while increasing trade for targeted 
commodities; and  
c. strengthening the overall capacity of the industry.  
127.  Interventions encou rage the adoption of innovations at the farm level, and efficient business 
models at the market level will create a more broad -based distribution of benefits all along the chain, 
including the smallholder, particularly women. The activity seeks to increase  the productivity and 
profitability of horticultural value chains for 447,000 targeted beneficiaries, comprising 50 % women 
and 30 % youth. The activity is using a market systems approach to deliver technical support and 
encourage the adoption of farm -level innovations like improved technologies, farming practices, and 
efficient business models. To foster the sustainable competitiveness of the horticulture sector, the 
activity has worked with local partners including private sector entities and public extensi on officers. 
Mboga na Matunda will run from January 2017 to June 2022. The activity closed successfully in 2022 
and met all targets.  
8.1.3.3   FTF Harvest II – Cambodia  
128.  The program works with the private sector to catalyze partnerships between agricultural 
producer s, buyers, and distributors, with the goal of accelerating the growth of the commercial 
horticulture sector. The objectives of the program are to:  
a. increase the capacity of farmer organizations and private sector to better engage in the 
market to increase b oth profitability of farming and investment into the sector;  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  b. facilitate coordination of efforts, investment, and private sector engagement (including the 
provision of technical assistance) along the vegetable value chain;  
c. remove obstacles to market acces s for commercial horticulture crops in order to create 
job opportunities and increase rural on - and off -farm incomes; and  
d. strengthen Cambodia 's commercial horticulture value chain so that farmers and other 
entrepreneurs are better equipped, not only to in crease production, but to effectively 
compete in the local and regional markets.  
129.  Over the past five years, Harvest II has worked with 7,200 market actors in the horticulture 
sector, of which 54 % were women and 27 % were youth. Harvest II helped build the bu siness skills 
of a number of local small and medium enterprises and producer organizations and promoted export 
growth in regional and international markets. As a result, Harvest II assisted market actors in 
generating USD 74.8 million in sales, leveraged U SD 28 million in private capital investment, and 
created 2,500 new jobs. The program ended in July 2022.  
8.1.3.4   Government Official Lauds FTF  
130.  Hean Vanhan, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said, 
"the project successfully p rovided inclusive economic opportunities for buyers, producers, and other 
market actors, and urged further increases in productivity to better enable farmers to compete with 
international suppliers. The results of the Harvest II project are in line with th e Agricultural Sector 
Development Strategic Plan 2019 –2023 and the Master Plan for Crop Production in Cambodia to 
2030. " 
8.1.3.5   FTF DRC Strengthening Value Chains (SVC) Program – Democratic Republic of 
Congo  
131.  With a budget of USD 23 million, the purpose of the program is to increase household incomes 
and access to nutrient rich crops by linking small -holder farmers to strengthened and inclusive value 
chains and supportive market services. SVC applies a nutrition -sensitive value chain and market 
systems developme nt approach to strengthen nutritional crops (beans and soybean) and specialty 
coffee value chain development in South Kivu. SVC works with the Government of DRC (Ministry of 
Agriculture, civil society organizations, and the private sector) to build the cap acity of vertical and 
horizontal actors working within targeted value chains. The program is scheduled to run for five 
years and complete in FY 2022. The DRC was named a Feed the Future target country in 2022, 
creating space for continued collaboration.  
8.1.3.6   FTF "Hinga Weze " – Rwanda  
132.  Through the "Hinga Weze " project, USAID promoted irrigation technologies using solar pumps 
and digital tools in agricultural inputs management. The project made post -harvest technologies 
easily accessible to farmers and reached its targets through:  
a. Small scale irrigation technology using solar pumps supported irrigation of 300 ha of land. 
Targeted crops included high -iron beans and maize, along with watermelons, chilis, 
onions, cabbages, and French beans. The use of solar energy for the pumps was a major 
step forward for sustainability of irrigation since, with no diesel costs for farmers, there 
was more acceptance of the system over the long -term.  
b. A supply chain management system that allowed for end -to-end digitization of an agro -
input subsidy program. Currently, over 1,400,000 farmers are registered on the platform, 
500,000 of whom are farmers located in 10 Hinga Weze districts.  
c. Via the Kumwe Harvest "Cob Model, " farmers sold maize cobs immediately after harvest 
for eventual sale to  a processor. Since the project started in early 2019, by 2022 it has 
served 42,000 farmers across Rwanda, 15,125 of whom are from Hinga Weze districts. 
Using the granted equipment, Kumwe Harvest eliminated post -harvest losses for these 
farmers, reduced gr ains rejections due to aflatoxin contamination from 90 % to below 1%, 
and processed over 16,000 MT of high -quality local maize in 16 months, ultimately IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  providing farmers with reliable access to high -value markets for a value of sales above 
USD 430,000 annually.  
d. Through distributing post -harvest equipment to farmers, using new technologies including 
solar dryers, farmers were able sell either maize cobs or grains to aggregators and 
processors at a premium price, earning not only more money but al so supplying high 
quality grain free of aflatoxin. Since the project started in 2017, it has served more than 
300,000 farmers, helping them acquire new technologies and access new markets.  
8.1.3.7   FTF – Burkina Faso  
133.  USAID supported the Feed the Future innovation l abs on various agriculture research through 
the local organization Inera and multiple US universities. Through the Innovation Lab for Legume 
Systems Research Projects with Michigan State University, USAID worked on research towards 
minimizing insect pests that can severely impact cowpea cropping systems. USAID also developed 
and deployed climate -resilient, environmentally friendly, and economically profitable integrated pest 
management approaches and tools. The lab also increased the understanding of the un anticipated 
consequences of fertilizer subsidies on the cowpea value chain in Burkina Faso.  
134.  During FY 2022, the ILCI Crop Innovation in West Africa (CIWA) Center of Innovation 
developed a regionally coordinated approach to the development and dissemination  of climate smart 
varieties of sorghum, pearl millet, and cowpea, which are key to smallholder farmers and rural 
populations of West Africa. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has been working 
to increase animal -sourced foods into the di ets of the poor and vulnerable, including through milk 
and feed safety testing, training on feeding strategies using locally available feed resources and 
animal health care, and research on enhancing the productivity of small ruminants. Through the 
Sustain able Intensification Innovation Lab 's (SIIL) work, an Innovation Hub at Nazi Boni University 
of Bobo -Dioulasso was set up, including a field hub on a cooperative farmers ' field. The African 
Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) advances adoption of the  pod borer insect resistant 
cowpea. AATF has been working on attaining the necessary permits and conducting agronomic trials 
for cowpea.  
8.1.3.8   FTF – Mali  
135.  Feed the Future efforts in 2022 supported by USAID/Mali include Sene Yiriwa (prosperous 
agriculture) and Su gu Yiriwa (prosperous market) in two priority regions of the country. Sene Yiriwa 
aims to increase the use of Climate Smart Agriculture technologies to boost production and improve 
natural resources management, as well as increase farmer access —through dig ital technologies —to 
real-time market and climate data. Sugu Yiriwa aims to increase access to agricultural inputs and to 
strengthen value chains through interventions such as improved sanitary and phytosanitary 
practices.  
136.  USAID/Mali is also promoting the scaling up of a wide range of digital tools to assist the 
production, storage, transformation, and sale of agricultural products. These tools include grazing 
and water point advisory services, marketing apps, and digital climate information.  
8.2  NASA/USAID SER VIR Program  
137.  A joint development initiative of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 
and USAID, SERVIR ( https://servirglobal.net/ ) worked in partnership with leading regional 
organizations worldwi de to help developing countries use information provided by Earth observing 
satellites and geospatial technologies. SERVIR 's tools, products, and services empowered decision 
makers to better address critical development issues including food security. SERV IR's food security 
thematic service area included agriculture, rangeland management and pastoralism, and fisheries 
and aquaculture, particularly through the lens of adaptation to increasing environmental extremes. 
Key topics included linking agricultural p roductivity assessments, crop yield models, and use of 
climate scenarios for assessing impacts.  
138.  SERVIR connected space to village by helping developing countries use satellite data to 
address not only critical challenges in food security, but also in water  resources, weather and climate, 
land use, and natural disasters. SERVIR developed innovative solutions to improve livelihoods and IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  foster self -reliance in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. USAID brought the users; USAID 's development 
expertise and field pres ence in 100 countries provided the connections and local partnerships with 
local, national and regional stakeholders. NASA brought the science; with 19 research collaborator 
teams located in 14 states across the United States, and more than 20 satellites w ith free and open 
data, NASA focused on ways to leverage US science to replicate successes and innovate around the 
world. NASA also worked hand in hand with developing country organizations and scientists to leave 
behind increased technical capacity and so cietal benefit. Today, SERVIR is improving awareness, 
increasing access to information, and supporting analysis to help people in West Africa, Eastern and 
Southern Africa, Hindu Kush Himalaya, the Lower Mekong, South America, and Mesoamerica manage 
challen ges in the areas of food security, water resources, land use change, and natural disasters. 
With activities in more than 45 countries and counting, SERVIR has already developed over 70 
custom tools, collaborated with over 250 institutions, and trained more  than 3,000 individuals, 
improving the capacity to develop local solutions (see https://www.servirglobal.net/ ). 
139.  In the next phase of the SERVIR Strategic Plan 2020 -2025, SERVIR will continue to seek to 
maximize  impact on the ground, deepen science collaboration, increase sustainability, and take 
advantage of a growing number of partners ' strengths to achieve the program 's objective. 
Furthermore, SERVIR will continue to lead by example in valuing and fostering a diverse, equitable, 
and inclusive environment throughout the SERVIR network.  
8.2.1   SERVIR Mekong – Cambodia  
140.  This program supported the ongoing development and implementation of the SERVIR Mekong 
geospatial platform, managed by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Cen ter. This platform helped NGOs 
and government institutions improve environmental management and resilience to climate change 
in the Lower Mekong region through the increased application of geospatial analysis to critical, 
urgent, or common policy and plann ing needs.  
141.  SERVIR -Mekong worked hand in hand with the USAID Greening Prey Lang activity to enhance 
the development and implementation of the Cambodia Environmental Information Monitoring 
System (CEMIS). The program also supported capacity development and t raining for the Ministry of 
Environment, academia, and NGOs on how to use tools and apply remote sensing technologies to 
monitor forest cover and landscape management.  
142.  According to Matthew Edwardsen, Chief of Party for USAID Greening Prey Lang, "Discussion s 
around deforestation in Cambodia tend to focus on the illegal timber trade, which, while an extremely 
serious problem, it is not the greatest cause of forest loss. What we are seeing is widespread illegal 
forest clearance for agriculture that is driven b y land speculation. Early identification of these 
clearings and permanent expulsion of illegal farmers from them must occur if we want to see a 
decrease in the deforestation trends in the protected areas where we are working. " To address some 
of these prob lems SERVIR Mekong developed the Cambodia Protected Area Alerts System. This 
system monitors near real -time forest changes and external threats such as forest fires within the 
Prey Lang Extended Landscape. The Cambodia Protected Area Alerts System is a key  component of 
the Protected Area Monitoring Platform, launched recently by Cambodia 's Ministry of Environment, 
which integrates ground -based and remotely sensed data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness 
of law enforcement and conservation activities . SERVIR Mekong ended in September 2021. It was 
successful in developing tools for geospatial mapping and protected area mapping  
8.3  Linking Infrastructure, Finance, and Farms to Cashew (LIFFT) – Senegal, The Gambia, 
Guinea -Bissau (SeGaBi)  
143.  USDA -FAS's Food for Progress (FFPr) project implemented by Shelter for Life (SFL) and 
Connexus Corporation aims to improve the marketing of raw cashew nuts and other cashew products 
in local and international markets through value chain improvement. During FY 2017 -2023, the 
program 's objectives are:  
a. Increase quality of raw cashew nuts (RCN) by organizing and building the capacity of 
farmers to improve on -farm and post -harvest practices, and increase bargaining power;  
b. Increase processing of RCN within SeGaBi region by increasi ng access to financial services, 
capacity building, and upgrading value chain linkages;  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  c. Promote the collective sale of RCN by developing and upgrading value chain linkages 
necessary to support an integrated regional trade network, which includes creating durable 
market infrastructure and improved access to markets for value chain actors;  
d. Improve or maintain raw cashew nut quality at 52 -54 lbs.  
144.  The program has already reached three of its targets by strengthening 
associations/cooperatives, increasing collective sales of raw cashew nuts to 100,000 tons, and 
increasing raw nut processing capacit y by an additional 30,000 tons per year in target countries.  
8.4  Country Projects  
8.4.1   RAMA -BC – Mozambique  
145.  USAID 's Resilient Agriculture and Markets Activity (RAMA -BC) program 's overarching goal is 
to equitably increase agricultural productivity and climate resil ience by increasing adoption of 
resilient agricultural technologies and practices. Over the life of the project, RAMA -BC will implement 
activities under four component areas to increase the adoption of resilient agricultural technologies 
in the Beira corri dor. Components 1 and 2 will increase demand by raising awareness and 
demonstrating effectiveness of key technologies and practices, including improved seed conservation 
agriculture (CA) practices and water management and irrigation solutions. Components 3  and 4 will 
support supply -side improvements, leading to increased availability, accessibility, and affordability 
of inputs and other technologies, and improved private sector led advisory services.  
146.  Since its inception and through FY 2022, the RAMA -BC proj ect has assisted smallholder farmers 
to apply new and improved technologies to 30,729 ha of land for 20,916 farmers. This has led to 
increased sales by smallholder farmer that amount to USD 1.1 million. The project has also managed 
to establish 2,011 aware ness events for several stakeholders, including smallholder farmers, private 
sector partners, partner government entities, and the local universities and agricultural colleges.  
8.4.2   Farmers Praise RAMA -BC 
147.  Commenting on the RAMA -BC project, one local farmer from  Mozambique said, "The yield from 
my field has motivated me to work harder and teach other farmers to adopt conservation agriculture 
techniques and improve their yield, without using fertilizer or ploughing. It 's clear that we need to 
be patient, because y ield improvement occurs from the second season onwards, as can be seen in 
the first season I reaped 840kg, in the second 1,240kg, and this last season I got 1,505kg from just 
2,500m2 (1/4 ha), what was not possible before from 1 ha and next season I hope t o produce even 
more! " 
148.  Francisco Jone, a farmer in Honde, Barue district, Manica province, said "When I started using 
the mobile cattle kraal, I thought I would compact my land and that it could have low yields, but 
now I see the plot where the kraal passed , maize is very green, despite the whole of February 
without rain. " The increase Francisco witnessed in crop growth and color between the two 
treatments, traditional and mobile kraal, are significant. Francisco also spoke of the advantages that 
after rain the soil is "lighter " and retains more moisture. Francisco adds: "People who visit me think 
that I fertilized my land, but it is the result of cattle manure, and they also want to implement the 
system, but are still having difficulties in acquiring equipme nt." 
8.4.3   Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition 
(CE SAIN) – Cambodia  
149.  Through this program ( https://www.cesain.org/ ), USAID established a center of excellence at 
the Royal Universit y of Agriculture (RUA) to ensure research on agriculture innovations is 
disseminated to farmers, NGOs, and the private sector. The research is meant to meet market and 
farmer demand for information and technology to reduce production costs and increase eff iciencies 
for farmers and agribusinesses, and ultimately to reduce poverty. The program continues in 2022 
and has:  
a. established Technology Parks in different agro -hydro -ecological zones and demonstrated 
promising technologies;  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  b. strengthened RUA 's capacity t o deliver vocational and non -degree training to extension 
professionals, government staff, NGO employees, and farmers;  
c. improved RUA faculty education, research and extension capacity through long and short -
term training;  
d. provided technical expertise and research opportunities in the areas of sustainable 
agricultural intensification and nutrition;  
e. empowered farmers, both in the public and private sectors, to shift from conventional 
production systems to profitable soil and ecosystems, enhancing conservati on agriculture 
production system; and  
f. engaged private sector to scale up agriculture services in conservation agriculture 
practices.  
150.  CE SAIN partnered with 16 US land grant universities to conduct off -farm trials to develop new 
innovative agriculture technologies in Cambodia over the past five years. The program showcased 
approximately 28 innovative agricultural technologies and prepared those technologies for tra nsfer 
to farmers and private businesses. Over 5,000 farmers and private businesses visited the showcases 
of these new technologies at five CE SAIN technology parks, and over 1,000 ha of farmland were 
cultivated with use of these improved practices. Eight P hD and nine master 's degree candidates 
completed post graduate study in Cambodia through support from the CE SAIN scholarship program, 
and over 1,250 farmers and other stakeholders attended CE SAIN short -term training programs on 
innovative agriculture tec hnologies.  
8.4.4   Protecting Malian Farmers: Testing a Response to the Threat of Fall Armyworm 
Program – Mali 
151.  USAID/Mali partnered with myAgro to protect Malian farmers and their harvests from the Fall 
Armyworm (FAW). Due to the COVID -19 pandemic, myAgro changed their in -person farmer group 
agricultural training, and pivoted to focus on video, radio, and telephone training formats to continue 
delivering content to farmers and local planting interns despite the restrictions imposed by the 
pandemic. In the run -up to  Village Farmer Experts (VFE) training and equipping outreach events, 
myAgro updated farmer and VFE training materials, including the development of training videos 
detailing proper insecticide treatment and storage. As part of their training offerings, my Agro 
produced five videos on peanut, maize, sorghum, and okra cultivation, as well as a video on FAW 
and IPM practices. They posted these videos to their YouTube channel, and shared them with field 
team members, VFEs, and planting interns via WhatsApp. Wit h the videos on their phone, VFEs could 
show or transfer the videos to farmers during their interactions throughout the payment, delivery, 
and planting periods.  
152.  Malian farmers participating in myAgro 's FAW program grew 88 % more food than farmers in 
the con trol group and earned USD 135 of additional income per farmer. MyAgro maize farmers in 
Mali also had an average yield of 2.93 tons per hectare, which was 31 % higher than the average 
yield of the farmers in the control group.  
153.  The FAW activity was a three -year program that came to its scheduled end in December 2021. 
It was successful at achieving most of its objectives. Over 200,000 farmers received training in 
detecting and responding to FAW, of which almost 30,000 received training in Integrated Pest 
Manage ment. Farmers who used improved seed varieties and/or pesticides had yields almost double 
those in the control group and gained an average of USD 116 in additional income. The organization 
that implemented the program will continue to provide technical ass istance to farmers through an 
Agriculture Hotline; it also forged relationships with the private sector so that interested farmers can 
continue to access these improved technologies.  
8.4.5   Capacity Building in Agriculture - Tanzania  
154.  Implemented in collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Capacity 
Building in Agriculture program supports during 2015 -2023 the government of Tanzania to improve 
data collection and information dissemination and to connect key actors in the agricultural sector to  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  develop income -generating activities for smallholder farmers. Over 30,000 individuals in the 
agriculture sector have received short -term productivity or food security training. Over 12,000 
farmers have applied improved agriculture technologies or manageme nt practices such as improved 
seeds, planting techniques, and pest management. Approximately 7,000 hectares of land are under 
improved technologies or management practices. Over 2,500 people are using climate information 
or implementing risk reducing actio ns to improve resilient agriculture. The program is on track to 
close successfully in 2023.  
9  PROGRAMING  AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO ENERGY DEVELOPMENT  
9.1  Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN) – Global  
155.  PFAN is a multilateral public private partnership initiated by the Climate Technology Initiative 
and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is currently hosted 
by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). I t identifies and nurtures 
promising, innovative clean development and renewable energy projects by bridging the gap 
between investors, clean energy entrepreneurs, and project developers. PFAN mobilizes private 
sector expertise in financing climate -friendly  projects and technologies to screen business plans and 
select and assist projects that are economically viable, as well as environmentally and socially 
beneficial. PFAN 's partners and donors include: Australia 's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
(DFAT); the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Swedish International Development 
Cooperation Agency (SIDA); and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  
156.  Since 2008, PFAN has raised USD 2.1 billion for 185 completed projects, rep resenting 
1.2 gigawatts of clean and renewable electric power generation capacity. The initiative mobilized 
over USD 650 million in investments in clean energy over the past five years, with over 70 % from 
the private sector. PFAN has supported stakeholders  in over 50 countries and has achieved 
impressive results with a small public investment – the program 's leverage rate is USD 80 - 100 for 
every dollar of donor funds invested. The final deadline for prospective candidates to apply for PFAN 
support was 28 August 2022.  
157.  Serengeti Energy in collaboration with the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN) launched 
the 2022 Umoja Incubator. The incubator aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs in renewable energy 
to bring their project to financial close. This is ac hieved by improving the bankability of the most 
promising renewable energy projects through access to commercial and technical knowledge, and 
finally securing the funding. The best candidates for the program will be invited to a one -week 
workshop in Cape T own, where the winner of the first Umoja Incubator will be announced. More 
than 500 million people in sub -Saharan Africa have no access to electricity. This lack of access to 
modern electricity services limits the educational and business opportunities alo ng with the economic 
prospects and well -being of these populations. Increasing the share of clean electricity will not only 
fight climate change on a global scale, but also help the continent to overcome key economic 
challenges and directly support the Sus tainable Development Goals.  
9.2  Regional and Country Energy Initiatives  
158.  US regional energy development programming focuses on sub -Saharan Africa and South Asia. 
US agencies work closely with multilateral development banks, other US government agencies, the 
private sector, and local banks or financial institutions to engage on regional energy collaboration 
programs.  
9.2.1   Power Africa – Madagascar  
159.  Power Africa is a US Government -led partnership that seeks to add 30,000 MW and 60 million 
electricity connections in sub -Saharan Africa by 2030. Off -grid electrification solutions, such as 
minigrids, can play a vital role in electrifying Madagascar 's rural areas. However, private developers 
and operators capable of installing and operating minigrid systems often struggle to  enter and 
expand the minigrid market because they lack access to project financing. Power Africa awarded 
USD 1.2 million in grants for the development of minigrids in Madagascar to bring electricity to more 
than 5,200 households and businesses in rural Ma dagascar. Beneficiary companies have begun to 
receive the equipment for the mini grids. The activity is ongoing and is scheduled to close in IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  June 2023. An extension is being considered as the implementation of the project has been impacted 
by COVID -19. 
9.2.2   Power Africa – Burundi  
160.  US Embassy 's Deal Team, the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and Power Africa 
are continuing to support US energy companies active in Burundi. In May 2022, US company Virunga 
Power signed an MOU with the Government of Burundi ( GoB) with a focus on rural electricity 
distribution—a project that could bring much -needed power to between 8 and 10 million people (out 
of the 12 -million -person population). The MOU includes a 12 -month period of exclusivity and will 
hopefully lead to a pu blic-private partnership. Additionally, the two hydroelectric power stations for 
which the Songa Energy/Virunga Power group previously secured agreement should begin 
construction in late 2022. Meanwhile, late February saw the GoB formally approve a 25 -year 
operating agreement in support of US company Gigawatt Global 's photovoltaic plant in Gitega.  
9.2.3   USTDA Award to eleQtra – Mozambique  
161.  USTDA awarded in winter of 2018 a grant to power developer eleQtra for a feasibility study to 
assess the viability of a 120 -megawatt wind power plant, developed in two phases of 60 MW each, 
located in southern Mozambique. This will be the first wind power project in Mozambique, creating 
the benchmark for this industry in this country. The value of the grant was USD 1.1 million. T he 
feasibility study is currently underway in 2022.  
9.2.4   USTDA Award to Globeleq Calanga Wind - Mozambique  
162.  USTDA awarded in autumn of 2020 a grant to Globeleq Calanga Wind, S.A. for a feasibility 
study to assess the technical, financial, and economic viability of a 130 megawatt wind power plant 
to be developed in two phases of 65 MW each, along with energy storage of 10 -20 MW (20 -40 MW 
hours), as well as associated transmission and interconnection infrastructure in the Manhiça district 
in Maputo Province, Mozamb ique. The feasibility study is currently underway in 2022.  
9.2.5   Private Sector Praises USTDA Funding  
163.   "We would like to thank USTDA for filling an early -stage funding gap. The crucial role they 
are playing in the Manhiça wind project helps us accelerate renewab le energy choices for the 
country, " said Jonathan Hoffman, Chief Development Officer of Globeleq.  
9.2.6   USTDA East Africa Enterprise Solutions Feasibility Study - Rwanda  
164.  USTDA awarded in 2019 a contract to Decision Analysis LLC to perform a feasibility study to 
determine how to improve telecommunications access in East Africa. The study is encountering 
delays due to the COVID -19 pandemic, but is ongoing in 2022.  
9.2.7   WindGen Village and C&I Minigrids – Sierra Leone  
165.  In FY 2019, USTDA awarded a grant to the Ministry of  Energy in Sierra Leone for a feasibility 
study to provide the technical and financial analysis to implement approximately 45 minigrids in the 
country. USTDA 's study will specifically support a private -sector -led standard for off -grid 
development and serve  as a model for other West African countries to replicate. The project is 
envisioned to increase energy access for more than 8,000 rural households and several hundred 
businesses in Sierra Leone. The feasibility study was recently completed in 2022.  
9.3  Region al Sub -Saharan Africa: West Africa Power Pool 225kV Cote d 'Ivoire -Liberia 
Transmission Interconnection Project – Liberia  
166.  In FY 2021, USTDA approved funding for a feasibility study that will provide the West Africa 
Power Pool (WAPP), a specialized power gr id coordination institution of the Economic Community of 
West African States (ECOWAS), with a technical, economic, and environmental assessment for a 
225 kV transmission line and related substation and distribution equipment from Côte d 'Ivoire to 
Liberia. The project is anticipated to provide energy access to surrounding communities, as well as 
create greater resiliency and enable deployment of renewable energy generation for the WAPP. This IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  activity was obligated in FY 2022 and is currently awaiting selecti on of a US contractor to implement 
the feasibility study.  
9.3.1   Namaacha Wind Power Plant – Mozambique  
167.  In FY 2018, USTDA awarded a feasibility study grant to power developer eleQtra to assess the 
viability of a 120 -megawatt wind power plant, developed in two ph ases of 60 MW each, located in 
southern Mozambique. This will be the first wind power project in Mozambique, creating a benchmark 
for the industry in this country. The feasibility study is underway and projected to be completed in 
March 2023.  
9.3.2   Kigali Innov ation Smart City – Rwanda  
168.  In FY 2022, USTDA awarded a feasibility study grant to the Rwanda Development Board that 
will assess (i ) various options for deployment of smart city solutions at Kigali Innovation City, a 
planned mixed -use development intended to serve as a hub for the technology industry in Kigali, 
and (ii) the feasibility of further deployments of smart city technologies  throughout Rwanda. This 
activity is currently awaiting selection of a US contractor to carry out the feasibility study.  
9.3.3   Central Bank of the Solomon Islands Information and Communications Technology 
(ICT) Modernization Roadmap – Solomon Islands  
169.  In FY 2021,  USTDA funded a technical assistance grant for the Central Bank of the Solomon 
Islands (CBSI) to develop a roadmap for the modernization of its ICT infrastructure. The technical 
assistance will identify upgrades to CBSI 's existing ICT infrastructure and de velop specifications and 
an implementation plan for deploying new banking applications that will improve the central bank 's 
operations. This activity is awaiting in 2022 the selection of a US contractor to carry out the technical 
assistance.  
9.3.4   CBSI Governor Praises USTDA Assistance  
170.  "CBSI is currently reviewing its ICT infrastructure capability as part of its strategic positioning, 
not only to mitigate risks like cybersecurity, but also to conform to modern central banking 
standards, " said Dr. Luke Forau, CBSI  Governor. "The support provided by the US government 
through USTDA comes at the right time, especially when we are working toward constructing our 
new headquarters. " 
9.3.5   Hybrid Power Generation in Nitti – Sierra Leone  
171.  In FY 2021, USTDA funded a feasibility st udy grant for the development of an approximately 
192-megawatt hybrid power generation plant near the village of Nitti in Sierra Leone. The study will 
assess how best to maximize the use of solar photovoltaic energy and provide reliable power 
generation. T he Sierra Leone Ministry of Energy, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of 
Sierra Leone, is the grantee. Inglett & Stubbs International, LLC (Mableton, GA) was selected as the 
US contractor for this study. The study is underway and projected to be completed in 2022.  
9.3.6   Mawingu Networks Expansion – Uganda; Rwanda  
172.  In FY 2022, USTDA funded a feasibility study grant for Mawingu Networks Limited to support 
expansion of its network through out rural and underserved areas in Kenya and into Uganda and 
Rwanda to increase internet access and rural connectivity throughout East Africa. The study will 
evaluate market demand in those countries and determine the technical and commercial viability of 
deploying last mile connectivity across rural areas to prioritize expansion opportunities. Mawingu 
selected Dalberg Consulting -US LLC (New York, NY) to conduct the study.  
9.3.7   Private Sector Lauds USTDA  
173.  "Reliable internet connectivity is an essential component  for economic growth and 
development, " said Farouk Ramji, CEO of Mawingu Networks. "As pioneers introducing meaningful 
internet connectivity across rural Kenya, Mawingu Networks is excited to collaborate with USTDA 
and Dalberg, to reach more communities ac ross East Africa. " IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  9.3.8   Hospitals and Mobile Healthcare Trailers Public Private Partnership Project – 
Senegal  
174.  USTDA funded a feasibility study in 2022 for the Senegalese Ministry of Economy, Planning 
and Cooperation (MEPC) to analyze options for the development  of a public private partnership (PPP) 
model to implement four hospitals and approximately three to five mobile healthcare trailers in 
Senegal. This feasibility study will help MEPC, as well as the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, 
determine the best PPP approach to developing important healthcare infrastructure in the country. 
This activity is currently awaiting selection of a US contractor.  
9.3.9   Smart Grid Roadmap – Bangladesh  
175.  USTDA awarded a technical assistance grant to Power Cell, a Bangladesh governme nt 
department responsible for power sector reform, to develop a roadmap for incorporating smart grid 
elements into Bangladesh 's electric grid. The technical assistance will support the project goals of 
improving the reliability, affordability, and resilien cy of Bangladesh 's electricity grid by leveraging 
smart grid technologies. Boston Consulting Group (Boston, MA) was selected to complete the 
technical assistance. The activity is currently underway and projected to be completed in 2022.  
9.3.10   Bangladesh Minister  Praises USTDA Activity  
176.   "I hope that by following this roadmap, Bangladesh would be able to achieve its goal to 
implement smart grid in order to ensure quality and uninterrupted electricity supply, " said State 
Minister for the Ministry of Power, Energy, a nd Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid.  
9.3.11   South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/EI) – Bangladesh, 
Bhutan, India, and Nepal  
177.  USAID 's SARI/EI focuses on supporting greater regional grid integration by promoting cross -
border power trade in Sout h Asia through harmonization of policy, legal, and regulatory mechanism; 
advancement of transmission system interconnections; and the establishment of a South Asia 
Regional Electricity Market. These are catalysed through three inter -governmental task force s (TFs) 
established under the program with representation from national governments, power transmission 
utilities, regulators, and other relevant representatives from participating South Asian countries. 
Currently the program focuses on moving the region f rom bilateral trade to multi -lateral/tri -lateral 
power trade and facilitating participation of neighbouring countries in Indian power exchange. The 
program also seeks to establish a platform and an investment forum for South Asia energy market 
players.  
178.  Many of the program 's activities, trainings and consensus building events were impacted due 
to continuation of the COVID -19 pandemic in each of the participating countries. However, some of 
the key results and impacts of work in 2022 included:  
a. The South Asia Energy Database, a tool that consolidates energy data from South Asia 
and presents it in user friendly manner, was launched. The tool will address the data 
asymmetry existing in the region and provide quality data to support policy makers, 
researchers, and  academics. The database was launched by senior Government of India 
officials from the Ministry of Power in the presence of senior officials from other South 
Asian countries (see www.southasiaenergydatabase.org ). It can also be downloaded on 
mobile on both android and iOS.  
b. Over the past year, Nepal increased  it sale of hydropower in the Indian power exchange 
to 364 MW from 39 MW. This is a direct result of SARI/EI interventions over the years to 
build the capacity of key stakeholders in Nepal which included a mock exercise on South 
Asia Regional Energy Power Exchange.  
c. SARI/EI informed two key policies that were enforced in the past year and would advance 
cross-border power trade in South Asia. As a result of the program 's advocacy and human 
and institutional capacity -building, the Government of Bhutan released  the Sustainable 
Hydropower Development Policy 2021 that builds upon USAID 's support and which sets 
forth the country 's intent to establish a trading entity to consolidate energy export and IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  cross-border trading, enhance cross border power trade through pow er markets, and 
promote equitable and sustainable hydropower project development. The other key 
guideline was the Government of India 's draft procedure guidelines for cross -border power 
trade which was issued by the Government of India 's designated agency.  The guidelines 
build upon earlier SARI/EI studies.  
d. A policy brief was prepared for South Asia that included recommendations on dealing with 
COVID -19 and similar pandemics in the future. The report compiled the challenges faced 
by South Asian countries, th e key steps taken, and recommendations for the future.  
e. SARI/EI further consolidated support for the South Asia Forum of Infrastructure 
Regulations (SAFIR) to identify regulatory interventions for grid discipline as well as 
develop a regulatory roadmap for electricity trade and exchange in South Asia.  
f. SARI/EI built consensus among South Asian Governments for establishment of two key 
institutions – the South Asia Forum for System Operator and South Asia Forum for 
Transmission Utilities –including through whit e papers and stakeholder consultations.  
g. The program released a white paper on Regional Parliamentary Forum on Energy 
Cooperation in a closed -door meeting with key parliamentarians in South Asia. This was 
followed by a public launch. These events helped built consensus on the need for the forum 
and helped identified champion parliamentarians. The forum will now be set up under 
USAID 's new regional energy program.  
h. SARI/EI built consensus on the benefits and need of regional energy cooperation throug h 
mobilizing the second phase of South Asia Think Tank Forum with five partners across the 
region. The forum is engaging civil society, media, academia, and youth through research 
fellowships.  
i. SARI/EI strengthened human and institutional capacity through several capacity building 
interventions, including two weeks of intensive power systems training with the Indian 
National Grid Operator and a study tour to Europe.  
j. SARI/EI completed eight studies, hosted six webinars, developed six reports, and 
organized 1 6 consultations.  
9.3.12   South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, 
Nepal and Sri Lanka  
179.  USAID launched its new regional energy program, called South Asia Regional Partnership 
(SAREP) with the aim to improve access to affordable, se cure, reliable, and sustainable energy in 
South Asia. One of the key pillars under SAREP focuses on enhancing regionally integrated grids and 
power markets by promoting cross -border power trade. Much of work undertaken by USAID 's 
SARI/EI program will trans ition to SAREP with the focus on promoting trilateral and multilateral 
power trade, strengthening national and regional institutions, developing common regulations and 
standards, and building consensus on regional energy cooperation by including all stakeh olders.  
180.  SAREP was awarded in May 2021 and mobilized over the last several months in 2022. It was 
launched in a South Asia Regional Session with participation of USAID Mission Directors from 
Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka along with senior Governme nt officials from each country. 
The program -initiated activities and some key outputs and results are listed below:  
a. SAREP assisted Bhutan in buying power from the Indian Power exchange to meet its 
shortfall during winters. This is the first time Bhutan par ticipated in the Indian power 
markets. SAREP provided technical assistance and guidance and built capacity within the 
stakeholders to operate in the power markets efficiently to reduce their own costs.  
b. SAREP collaborated with USAID/Bangladesh to hold a jo int workshop on participation of 
Bangladesh in the Indian Power Exchange.  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  c. SAREP is closely coordinating with the US Mission in Nepal on planning a regional 
parliamentary dialogue in partnership with Nepali Parliamentary Committee. The event is 
likely to h appen in September 2022.  
10  PROGRAMING AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION  
181.  The United States has engaged in a wide range of activities with developing countries, with 
the goal of promoting the development and deployment of climate -friendly tec hnologies and 
practices, and responsible management of the environment and environmental resources.  
182.  The climate crisis represents an existential threat to the security and prosperity of communities 
in the United States and around the world. At the same tim e, responding to the climate crisis offers 
one of the greatest opportunities in history for innovation, sustainable economic growth, and the 
creation of high -quality jobs. This is why the Biden -Harris Administration has made tackling the 
climate crisis in the United States and abroad a top priority.  
183.  President Biden called for the preparation of a Climate Finance Plan (herein "Plan"). This Plan—
the first of its kind in the US government—focuses specifically on international climate finance. For 
the purposes of this Plan, "climate finance " refers in part to the provision or mobilization of financial 
resources to assist developing countries to reduce and/or avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 
and build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The  Plan also addresses the need 
to better align public and private financial flows consistent with what is needed to achieve the Paris 
Agreement 's temperature and resilient -development goals.  
184.  Meeting the collective goal of mobilizing USD 100 billion per year  for developing countries from 
a wide variety of public and private sources, in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and 
transparency on implementation, is a priority for the United States 
(see https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp -content/uploads/2021/04/ US-International -Climate -
Finance -Plan-4.22.21 -Updated -Spacing.pdf?source=email ). 
10.1  US Program on SilvaCarbon  
185.  SilvaCarbon is a technical cooperation program under the Global Climate Change Initiative and 
a US contribution to the Global Forest Observation Initiative. SilvaCarbon works with more than 
25 tropical forested countries to build capacity in measuring, monitoring, and reporting changes in 
forest and terrestrial carbon, and collaborates globally to identify, test, and disseminate good 
practices and cost -effective technologies. SilvaCarbon draws o n the strengths of cooperating US 
government agencies including the Department of State, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
NASA, USAID, USDA Forest Service (USFS), and the US Geographical Survey (USGS) of the 
Department of Interior as well as variety of  non-governmental, academic, and industry partners 
(see www.silvacarbon.org/ ). 
186.  SilvaCarbon advances low -emission development and increases transparency through 
technical assistance and training on the use of free  and open -source tools and methods for accurately 
tracking land use change. For example, working with Google Earth Engine, Boston University, Oregon 
State University, USFS and USGS, SilvaCarbon delivered customized training to selected tropical 
forested co untries to support the uptick of state -of-the-art forest monitoring technologies tailored 
to country needs. SilvaCarbon has worked with counterparts from LDCs in Africa (Democratic 
Republic of  Congo ; Congo, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Zambia) and Asia (Nepal, Camb odia, Lao  People 's 
Democratic Republic) to generate and use improved forest data to meet the needs of multiple users 
and stakeholders. In Asia, the program is helping countries to access and implement much needed 
result -based payments through different RED D+ mechanisms. This is done through building 
technical capacity to meet the Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) requirements of carbon 
finance programs in Lao PDR and Nepal. In Cambodia, SilvaCarbon is supporting harmonized land 
cover mapping and i mproving the agricultural crops data, which is important for planning and 
implementing climate change and food security policy.  
10.2  SilvaCarbon Gender inclusion in Forest Monitoring Initiative  
187.  USGS embarked on a study of the barriers to women 's involvement in forest monitoring. For 
this study, subject matter experts interviewed women from 24 SilvaCarbon countries. One of the IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  solutions to resolve women 's inequalities in forest monitoring was to have dedicated training sessions 
for women. The SilvaCarbon program,  following the recommendation from the research findings, 
organized the first all -young career women training in the use of Google Earth Engine in Paraguay. 
The National University led the selection of 30 women out of 100 applicants in Paraguay. The 
enthus iasm for the training demonstrated the need to embark on more activities that prepare women 
to compete for the same positions.  
10.3  Government Officials Praise SilvaCarbon  
188.  Mr. Deepak Kumar Kharal, Joint Secretary and Director of REDD+ Implementation Cell in Ne pal 
said on 23 May 23  2022, "With the help of SilvaCarbon program, Nepal REDD+ team is able to meet 
the reporting requirements for the World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, especially with 
regard to reducing the uncertainty of the estimates and in creasing the confidence in the results. The 
technical cooperation produced new and improved reference emission levels that will enable Nepal 
to start accessing the result -based payments, and also established a system to continue the work 
independently in t he future. " 
189.  Ms. Hout Naborey, Director of National Forest Inventory and Assessment, at the Ministry of 
Environment, Cambodia, in June 2022 expressed appreciation for the long -term support provided 
by SilvaCarbon: "In the past SilvaCarbon helped Cambodia te am to improve the activity data. As we 
are now starting to work on the National Forest Inventory, it 's very valuable to know that SilvaCarbon 
can continue supporting the development of emission factors, to overall improvement of our forest 
information syst em." 
10.4  International Forestry Management Programming  
190.  The US Forest Service (USFS) continues to promote capacity building for sustainable forest 
management and biodiversity conservation internationally by linking the skills of the field -based staff 
with partners overseas in fiscal year 2022. These activities cover a wide range of topics, many of 
which are co -funded with the Department of State and USAID. This work involves a variety of 
partners, including intergovernmental organizations, international research and conservation 
organizations, and other environmental NGOs. USFS scientists and other agency technical experts 
contribute specialized technical assistance to existing projects, conduct training, facilitate research, 
and publish technical guides to promote sustainable forest management and biodiversity 
conserv ation. These activities encompass many of the most pressing forestry issues, including fire 
management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, forest monitoring and remote sensing, 
forest health and invasive species, migratory species and habitat manage ment, watershed 
management, protected areas and ecotourism, and sustainable forestry practices.  
10.5  USFS - International Union of Forest Research Organizations Partnership  
191.  The USFS and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) signed a  
multiyear partnership agreement in 2014 to enhance the contribution of forest science to 
international forest -related policy processes and implementation of sustainable forest resource 
management, particularly in economically disadvantaged countries. The agreement achieves 
technology transfer through strengthening national forest research systems in Africa, Asia, and Latin 
America, particularly through capacity development, assistance to scientists, and institution -
building. Further, the initiative support s IUFRO 's global initiatives on mobilizing and disseminating 
forest -related information through Internet and ICT -based channels 
(see http://www.fs.fed.us/research/partnerships ). IUFRO has a long hi story of providing support to 
the forest science community in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. IUFRO implements capacity building 
activities through its Special Program for Development of Capacities (IUFRO -SPDC). These activities 
strengthen research progra ms and enhance the development and implementation of sound forest 
management policies and practices through the generation and dissemination of quality -research 
results on forests and trees. IUFRO -SPDC 's capacity -building activities concentrate on assistin g 
forest research institutions in partner developing countries to effectively contribute to shaping 
national and local forest policies and sustainable forest management systems 
(see http://www.iufr o.org/science/special/spdc/ ). IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  10.6  Supporting Information Services and Knowledge Dissemination  
192.  The United States supports the provision of information services to scientists, educators, 
students, and policymakers in developing countries through (a) IUFRO 's new knowledge 
management system which expands the earlier work of the Global Forest Information Service 
(GFIS:  http://www.gfis.net/ ), and (b) the Global Forest Expert Panels program, which provides 
information and scientifi c expertise to governments and intergovernmental processes through 
independent scientific assessments of key forest -related issues of high concern in support of more 
informed decision -making at the regional and global level 
(GFEP:  https://www.iufro.org/science/gfep/ ). 
10.7  USGS CEOS Capacity Building  
193.  The US Geological Survey, as a part of the Committee of Earth Observations Satellites in 
collaboration with USAID and the State Department SilvaCarbon program, pr omotes capacity 
development in developing countries. The CEOS Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) 
Task team has embarked on an effort to identify and harmonize the best available above -ground 
biomass, forest, land cover, mangrove, and agricult ural crop products to support bottom -up 
inventories for the AFOLU sector. With the assistance of the SilvaCarbon program, methods have 
been tested in several countries and proven to be promising for improving existing monitoring 
systems and, most important ly, reducing the cost of national ground surveys. Recently a training in 
Paraguay 's eastern forest demonstrated the usability of a methodology that uses satellite data to 
calculate biomass in remote and accessible areas. Several countries plan to uptake th e method.  
10.8  Country and Regional Programs  
10.8.1   Africa and Middle East Region  
194.  In the Africa and Middle East Region (AME), the US Forest Service (USFS) works in over 30 
countries to address natural resource challenges in the least and most forested countries in th e 
world. USFS partners with a suite of organizations including US Government entities (USAID, State 
Department), host country governments, academic institutions, and non -governmental 
organizations to promote technology transfer and the exchange of best pra ctices to enhance natural 
resource management, economic development, and improve community resilience. Specifically, 
across the AME region, USFS provides targeted, long -term technical support and technology transfer 
to our partners on monitoring, reporting , and verification for greenhouse gas emissions accounting 
for agriculture, forests, and other land uses including systems development, land cover mapping, 
and land use change analyses. USFS also supports broader US government efforts at mitigating 
environ mental crime in the region by providing training on law enforcement and investigations, and 
wood identification techniques and technologies for countering illegal logging.  
195.  The Agency draws on its deep domestic expertise to assist countries in the AME regio n with 
landscape restoration – from seed sourcing and management, to cutting edge science/technology 
for nursery/plant production, to best practices for planning and implementing restoration projects 
at different scales.  
196.  Across Africa and the Middle East, USFS helps host country governments provide adequate 
support to local populations during and after fire and all -hazard disasters by supporting institutional 
strengthening and capability for national and on -site incident management, emergency operations 
and coordination, firefighting, post -incident response, and pre -preparedness, using USFS systems 
and technologies adapted for host -country contexts. Lastly, the Agency assists partners with 
watershed management at different scales, sharing tools and technolog ies from the United States 
that can be adapted to help partner countries include landscape -level water conservation as part of 
water security strategies. As of the beginning of FY 2022, the programs described here are active in 
Angola, Ethiopia, Gabon, The  Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, 
Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Congo , Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.  
10.8.2   Climate Fellows (CF) Program –Congo  
197.  The US Department of State Climate Fellows (CF) program continues to provide technical 
assistance to the Government of the Republic of the Congo for sustainable management of forest IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  resources and national efforts to reduce emissions and enhance removals of green house gases 
(GHG) in the forestry and other land use sectors. Through the CF technical expert embedded within 
the Ministry of Forest Economy, the capacity of national staff involved in national forest monitoring 
and GHG accounting is being strengthened.  
198.  From 2018 to 2021, a Climate Fellow was embedded within the Ministry of Forest Economy in 
the National Center for Inventory and Management of Forest and Wildlife Resources (CNIAF) to 
provide technical assistance on setting up the National Forest Monitoring S ystem (NFMS), 
implementing REDD+, estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions/removals, and compiling reports 
on climate change mitigation and adaptation compliant with United Nations Framework Convention 
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) requirements.  
199.  Through the technical assistance provided by the Climate Fellow 's Program, with 
complementary support from SilvaCarbon, the compilation of the country 's Third National 
Communication was finalized, national experts received training on new tools and methods for 
monitor ing forest cover change and estimating GHG emissions and removals, the NFMS was 
operationalized, and geospatial products and statistics were developed to inform decision -makers 
on sustainable management of forests and climate change mitigation.  
10.8.2.1   CF Regional  Initiative  
200.  The CF program also launched a regional initiative to strengthen the capacity and involvement 
of women in measuring and reporting GHG emissions and removals to the UNFCCC. The initiative – 
entitled Central Africa Women Initiative for Climate Ac tion (WICA) – was launched in four countries: 
Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of  Congo and Gabon.  One hundred and three women from 
the four countries were introduced to the science of climate change and GHG accounting. Nineteen 
of the women successful ly completed a rigorous diploma program on GHG measurement, reporting 
and verification offered by the GHG Management Institute (GHGMI) and are now working with 
different national institutions and NGOs on climate change related issues.  
201.  In FY 2022, the Silva Carbon and USAID/CARPE programs built on the achievements of the 
Climate Fellows Program to continue to provide technical assistance to ensure the sustainable 
functioning of the NFMS and the implementation of REDD+ results -based payment programs and 
Nation ally Determined Contributions (NDC). The WICA program has been expanded to a fifth 
country, the Central African Republic, and a new cohort of 100 women have been recruited from the 
five countries to pursue the program.  
10.8.3   Community Partnerships to Strengthen Sustainable Development (Compass) in 
Bangladesh  
202.  In FY 2022, USAID 's Community Partnerships to Strengthen Sustainable Development 
Program (Compass) implemented by the United States Forest Service Office of International 
Programs, engaged in technical exchan ge and cooperation with Bangladesh 's natural resource 
management institutions, practitioners, and youth to support participatory, evidence -based, 
science -driven management of Bangladesh 's forests and natural resources in the face of increasing 
demand from a fast -growing population of over 160 million. Compass has three primary program 
goals: (1) improve employability and career opportunities among marginalized at -risk youth; 
(2) enhance capacity of institutions to manage natural resources and increase tree cover and carbon 
sequestration in Bangladesh; (3) improve livelihoods and quality of life by developing natural 
resource management -based community enterprise.  
203.  Compass works to achieve these goals through the implementation of five integrated 
components: ( 1) establishing a Youth Conservation Corps to strengthen leadership, environmental 
stewardship, and suitable employment skills of underprivileged youth; (2) strengthening community 
capacity and promoting public participation by engaging stakeholders and co mmunity members in 
participatory environmental restoration of degraded forests and natural resources in the Chittagong 
Hill Tracts; (3) increasing technical cooperation on forest and ecosystem management by expanding 
the ongoing partnership with the Bangla desh Forest Department to reinforce the institutionalization 
and application of the National Forest Inventory data, strengthening technical capacity for remote 
sensing and satellite imagery applications, and ecosystem valuation and investment strategies; 
(4) strengthening the capacity of academic and research institutions in natural resource IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  management and resilience by supporting faculty, practitioners, and students in science -based 
technical cooperation on techniques, knowledge, and skills in forest manag ement and monitoring 
through activities including trainings, workshops, research projects, environmental assessments, 
field activities, fellowship programs, technical conferences, curriculum development, and others; and 
(5) promoting global exchange of nat ural resource knowledge and skills through technical 
collaborations, participation in the USFS International Seminars Series, regional coordination and 
exchanges, and through promoting participation and engagement in the USFS global networks. The 
Compass p rogram will provide special efforts to support the inclusion and participation of women 
and young professionals in program activities.  
11  PROGRAMMING AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO HEALTH  
204.  Health research through biomedical and behavioral funding activities of US agencies, including 
the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USAID, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), have contributed to technology transfer and research capacity strengthening in many LDCs. 
For new technologies developed by US scienti sts, NIH licenses biological materials and/or patent 
rights to institutions that can bring products to the market in or for LDCs.  
11.1  NIH Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DSI -A) 
– All LDCs in Africa  
205.  Through Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS -I Africa), 
NIH will support African institutions that partner with gove rnments and businesses to leverage data 
science technologies and develop solutions to the continent 's most pressing health problems. 
Important potential topics include artificial intelligence tools to advance decision support for mobile 
and other point of care technologies, establishment and use of shared platforms to leverage large 
health datasets to reveal disease patterns and risks, and computational approaches and data sharing 
to accelerate discovery of new diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.  
206.  Awards were made in FY 2021 for a trans -African network of research hubs, training centers, 
a coordinating center and open data science platform, and associated researchers in ethical, legal, 
and social implications of data science in Africa 
(https://commonfund.nih.gov/africadata/fundedresearch ). The period for this initiative is 
FY 2021- 2026.  
207.  New funding opportunities were recently released to support short courses that fill gaps in the 
DS-I Africa consortium and partnership for innovation research projects, which will be led by African 
institutions. Awards will be made in FY2023.  
11.2  NIH Mobile Health: Technology and Outcomes in Low - and Middle -Income Countries 
– All LDCs  
208.  The focus of the NIH Mobil e Health program is to explore the potential for development, 
validation, implementation, scale up, and commercialization of mobile health technologies. In the 
current iteration of the program, the first two years of each award focus on feasibility researc h and 
development. If the milestones are met, NIH will dedicate three more years of support for validation, 
larger -scale feasibility, and effectiveness studies. Private sector partner collaboration is strongly 
encouraged. To date, NIH has funded two rounds  of awards for this phased innovation approach in 
FY2020 and FY 2021. FY 2022 awards are pending.  
11.3  MaMoni Maternal and Newborn Care Strengthening Project (MaMoni -MNCSP) – 
Bangladesh  
209.  The USAID MaMoni Maternal and Newborn Care Strengthening Project (MNCSP) ac tivity will 
reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and increase contraceptive prevalence by strengthening the 
capacity of health systems and facilities through the provision of quality maternal and newborn 
health care, postpartum family planning, and nutri tion services. The activity will further strengthen 
newborn care at all levels, including essential newborn care through special care newborn units 
(SCANU), helping babies breathe, chlorhexidine use for cord care, and Kangaroo Mother Care. The 
activity is ongoing and will use the following systems:  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  a. Electronic Management Information System (eMIS): The project designed, piloted, and 
scaled up an electronic health information system in two districts, Habiganj and Tangail. 
The Directorate General of Family Plan ning (DGFP) has decided to scale up the eMIS tools 
in all 64 districts by June 2022.  
b. mHealth: The project successfully tested mHealth SMS reminder technology in Madhabpur 
upazila of Habiganj. mHealth sends out SMS notifications to the registered clients wh o are 
due for their pregnancy related services. In addition to text messages, voice messages 
have been developed that will be included in the system. DGFP included the mHealth 
expansion in their operational plan.  
c. OpenMRS: The project implemented OpenMRS, a n electronic patient record system in the 
district hospital and upazila hospital in Manikganj. Patients ' registration and antenatal and 
postnatal care (ANC/PNC) outpatient consultation use the OpenMRS system. As per the 
DGHS operational plan, in two phases , 100 hospitals will start OpenMRS based hospital 
automation. The DGHS already awarded the contract to the third party for hospital 
automation services  
d. Special Care Newborn Units (SCANU): MaMoni MNCSP has been supporting the MOHFW 
establishing SCANUs at n ational and district level hospitals to improve management of 
small and sick newborns. The project established Special Care Newborn Units (SCANU) at 
district hospitals to improve small and sick newborn management. More than 25,000 sick 
newborns received se rvices from the SCANUs in the project districts in the last four years.  
e. e. KIOSK Based Client Feedback System: MaMoni developed a prototype digital client 
feedback system using Raspberry Pi technology for feedback on ANC, PNC, and delivery 
services. The sy stem allows real time knowledge for hospital managers and administrators 
on clients ' feedback. The system will be tested in the district hospital in Manikganj.  
11.4  NIH Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) – All LDCs  
210.  The US National Institute of Healt h (NIH) leads H3Africa ( https://h3africa.org/ ) that supports 
research and builds technical capacity in Africa for genomics, bioinformatics, and associated 
technologies to improve health in Africa. There are 51 projects  led by African institutions and 
500 consortium members, including members in LDCs. The program will end after FY 2022.  
11.5  Partnership for Research on Vaccines and Infectious Diseases (PREVAIL) – Liberia  
211.  PREVAIL is a partnership including the US Government ( NIH and CDC), the government of 
Liberia (Ministry of Health, National Public Health Institute of Liberia, University of Liberia and JFK 
Memorial Medical Center (JFKMMC)) and the World Health Organization. The mission of PREVAIL is 
to conduct collaborative biomedical and public health research in accordance with best practices, 
and to advance science, strengthen health policy and practice, and improve the health of Liberians 
and people worldwide. The goals are to conduct high quality research, establish and sustain the 
expertise required to conduct research, build sustainable research capacity, and optimize 
organizational effectiveness. PREVAIL 's specific technology transfer initiatives include: providing 
training and expertise in all aspects of clinical rese arch studies including clinical operations, 
laboratory, pharmacy, social mobilization, and regulatory facets. It has provided improved 
infrastructure at four clinical sites in Liberia in terms of lab and clinical space. It has helped establish 
the West Afr ican Consortium which involves clinical research experts from Sierra Leone, Guinea, 
Liberia, Mali, and the Ivory Coast. PREVAIL has provided imaging capabilities and microbiology lab 
at JFKMMC. PREVAIL has also considerably expanded sequencing capabilities  in Liberia including 
through training and providing equipment.  
212.  The Research Sustainability Initiative in Liberia (RETAIN) was initiated by PREVAIL and its 
partners and has established infrastructure at the University of Liberia to handle all facets of gra nt 
management. Currently, PREVAIL is helping Liberia respond to the COVID -19 pandemic by providing 
antigen and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing. PREVAIL 's clinical research capacity launched 
11 clinical trials by August 2022, involving diseases of E bola, HIV, malaria, COVID -19, and a lassa 
fever Phase 1 vaccine study. The efforts have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine 
(NEJM), and efforts on Ebola research have helped lead to a licensed treatment for Ebola. Results IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  from these trial s have been published in the NEJM and resulted in changes to treatment guidelines 
for Ebola.  
213.  RETAIN has established the following Health Research Organizational Structure: Office of 
Health Research to support the curriculum development, teaching, and resea rch training; an Office 
of Sponsored Research Services to support the grant/contract management, and administrative 
policies; and an Office of Financial Services to support the research infrastructure, finance, funds 
control, and audits.  
214.  University of Libe ria's (UL) College of Health Science (CHS) received support to develop senior 
level scientists and academics to lead training and human resource development. Biostatistics 
professors from NIH and Columbia University have developed a series of training in B ioinformatics 
and Biostatistics to be delivered in Liberia in summer 2022 in collaboration with Liberian 
Biostatisticians and professors from UL CHS. UL CHS is also partnering on an initiative to identify, 
train, and mentor PhD students through a clinical research center to be the next generation of 
Liberian biomedical research leaders and faculty. During the reporting period, an assessment tool 
was developed to understand comparable clinical research centers in Ghana, Mali, Sierra Leone, and 
Zambia. Interv iews and data gathering will occur during quarters three and four with findings 
expected in fiscal year 2023. To support faculty development, UL CHS collaborated with Vanderbilt 
University and UMass on a curriculum for medical doctors to receive teacher tr aining and mentorship 
to better serve as instructors. Liberian health science students enrolled in graduate schools abroad 
continue to receive mentorship and collaboration with UL CHS instructors. Five Liberians at Boston 
University are studying emerging a nd epidemic virus research, three Liberians are in a Masters/PhD 
program for clinical research/epidemiology and translational science through University of California 
at San Francisco, and three Liberians are in doctoral programs for biomedical sciences at  Karolinska 
Institutet in Sweden.  
215.  After two years of operation and support to the center from PREVAIL, NIAID, and NIH, the JFK 
imaging center was transferred to be fully managed by the medical center in May 2021. Advanced 
medical imaging capabilities are b eing developed, and a suite to hold an MRI and a "Somatom Go 
Now" CT scanner has been constructed. The Microbiology laboratory development project has been 
completed and JFKMC is currently training its staff in 2022. Staff are proficient in not only the us e 
but also troubleshooting, maintenance, and basic repairs for multiple transferred technologies to 
allow for PCR using point of care or near point of care instruments, serologic assays, and routing 
clinical laboratory assessments. The Division of Clinical  Research continues to collaborate with 
partners in Liberia to enhance the laboratory capabilities in the region. Introduction and development 
of sequencing capabilities is a priority. The team has partnered with the Global Alliance for Pandemic 
Preparedne ss (GAPP) from Columbia University and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub (CZB) to develop 
capacity on two different sequencing platforms. Training is ongoing to support COVID sequencing, 
Lassa fever virus and pathogen discovery. Through GAPP, the only MiSeq is be ing serviced after 
years of being offline and a new machine is being procured. In addition, through PREVAIL and CZB 
an iSeq has been provided for Liberia. Recently, flow cytometers and magpix technologies were 
deployed in country. These instruments will pr ovide much needed tools and will open the door for 
advanced characterization of immune responses to infectious diseases as well as new serologic 
assays.  
216.  From the PREVAIL 2020 -24 Strategic Plan: "The partnership was conceived during the largest 
and most complex Ebola outbreak since Ebola the virus was discovered in 1976. Prior to the 
outbreak, Liberia 's healthcare infrastructure was weak and vulnerable, following years of civil war. 
The outbreak brought the health care system to a near halt. The program c ombined all available 
resources to establish a functional infrastructure at four clinical sites and the research lab at the 
Liberian Institute for Biomedical Research (LIBR). It also built Liberian capacity to conduct clinical 
research. This success has le d to the decision by the partners to protect and enhance this valuable 
resource by establishing PREVAIL as a sustainable enterprise that conducts ongoing research while 
retaining the ability to respond to future outbreaks. " 
11.6  International Centers for Excell ence in Research (ICER) – Mali  
217.  NIH, The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the Division of 
Intramural Research (DIR) lead the Mali ICER program. It builds on experience gained from NIAID 's 
long-standing malaria research col laboration with scientists in Mali and hosts multiple projects, 
including studies on mosquito vectors, malaria drug resistance, and candidate malaria vaccines; IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  research on neglected tropical diseases such as filariasis and leishmaniasis; research on emergi ng 
infectious diseases such as Ebola and Marburg virus, Lassa Virus, Crimean -Congo Haemorrhagic 
Fever virus, and Rift Valley Fever virus, and immunologic and microbiologic studies of patients co -
infected with HIV and tuberculosis.  
218.  The Mali ICER consists of  multiple laboratories, including a College of American Pathologists 
(CAP) -accredited clinical laboratory and a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL -3) laboratory at the Faculties of 
Medicine and Oral Surgery and of Pharmacy (which were separated when the University of Bamako—
previously named the University of Mali —was divided into four universities with these faculties falling 
under the University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technology of Bamako (USTTB)) and several 
clinical field sites within a 100 Km radius of Bamako , in addition to one on the Bandiagara plateau. 
The program is ongoing in 2022.  
11.7  International Centers for Excellence in Research (ICER) – Uganda  
219.  NIH, NIAID, and DIR lead the ICER site in Uganda. It includes a state -of-the-art field laboratory 
in the Rakai District and facilities at Makerere University in Kampala and the Uganda Virus Research 
Institute in Entebbe. Basic and clinical research on HIV and sexually transmitted infections, including 
studies on viral pathogenesis, transmission kinetics, trea tment and prevention, is conducted. A 
major focus is the impact of antiretroviral drugs on community -level incidence in the Rakai 
community cohort, which consists of over 17,000 individuals. The program is ongoing in 2022.  
11.8  Disease Detection – Lao PDR, Camb odia, Thailand  
220.  The US Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency 's Biological Threat 
Reduction Program (BTRP) is working with the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit 
(MORU) to provide training and education at the local level in fiel d diagnosis, sample collection, and 
shipment. These activities are closely coordinated between BTRP, WHO, US CDC, and MORU. More 
than 80 veterinarian officers have been trained on and practiced biosafety and biosecurity, and the 
samples shipped from the fi eld to the national laboratory correctly and safely. The program started 
in 2016 and is ongoing.  
11.9  Laboratory Diagnostics – Lao PDR, Cambodia, Thailand  
221.  BTRP also supports MORU to assess and train relevant staff at the National Animal Health 
Laboratory (NAHL)  in multiple areas, such as sampling, sample handling, and molecular diagnostics. 
These activities are being closely coordinated between BTRP and IPL, LOMWRU, and MORU. NAHL 
has increased qualified staff for field activities such as animal diseases surveil lance, outbreak 
investigation through enhanced animal disease diagnosis techniques, and quality assurance. The 
program started June 2021 and is ongoing in 2022.  
11.10   Laboratory Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) – 
Tanzania  
222.  Running from 2 016-2022, CDC 's Laboratory Project ECHO is a distance learning and 
mentorship model designed to build capacity for health care workers through satellite training. Using 
the hub and spoke approach, CDC provides training and technical assistance to four faci lities (hubs), 
and more than 273 facilities (spokes) in Tanzania. As of June 2022, the CDC -supported program has 
trained more than 1,280 MDR tuberculosis management experts, and more than 19,200 HIV rapid 
testers. This support involved more than 1,236 ment oring and training sessions. Participants are 
evaluated after each distance learning session and continue to show measurable gain in knowledge. 
Out of the 19,200 HIV non laboratory testers 7,379 have been certified and licensed. The target for 
Lab Project ECHO is to train more than 25,000 HIV testing personnel at testing points in health 
facilities. Plans are also underway to expand Project ECHO to multiple hubs with the inclusion of all 
district hospitals as spoke sites.  
11.11   NIH Research Training Programs for Low-and-Middle -Income -Countries  
223.  NIH's Fogarty International Center is dedicated to advancing the NIH by supporting and 
facilitating global health research conducted by US and international investigators, building 
partnerships between health research instit utions in the United States and abroad, and training the IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  next generation of scientists to address global health needs. These long -term investments in science 
help to promote technology transfer to LMICs.  
224.  NIH's Fogarty International Center supports several research training programs that include 
training for LMICs biomedical researchers and research institutions and contribute to technology 
transfer and capacity building. Programs include the Global Infectious Disease Program, the Fogarty 
HIV Research Traini ng Program, and the Health Professional Education Partnership Initiative. The 
programs involve researchers and health professionals from LMIC countries 
(see https://www.fic.nih.gov/Program s/Pages/default.aspx ). 
225.  In FY 2022, the funding opportunity titled Infrastructure Development Training Programs for 
Critical HIV Research at Low -and Middle -Income Country Institutions allows applicants to submit 
programs that support training of staff neces sary to develop technology transfer and intellectual 
property protection capacity, amongst other research infrastructure support functions.  
11.12   District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2)  
226.  DHIS2 is a free and open -source health management data platform used by multiple 
organizations and governments worldwide.  
11.12.1   Strengthening DHIS2 for the Management of Epidemics – Guinea  
227.  During FY 2021 -2022, the IT team of the CDC -funded partner AFENET assisted the Ministry of 
Health National Agency for Health Security (ANSS i n French) in the adaptation and use of the DHIS2 
COVID -19 and Ebola module to collect and analyze all epidemic data. The AFENET IT team 
incorporated the modules in the existing DHIS2 platform, adapted them to Guinea 's needs, and 
trained users. The module c ollects data on cases and their contacts including information about their 
identification, testing, hospitalization, vaccination, and recovery. The system also automatically 
sends the results of tests to the cases/contacts. It is the first time that DHIS2 is used to document 
epidemics. The initiative played a significant role in strengthening the existing DHIS2 system and 
solidifying its use by health organizations, epidemiologists, contact tracers, and laboratories. The 
project promoted a wide use of table ts for the collection of data in the field. This is an ongoing 
project. CDC will continue to support the ANSS in using DHIS2 for all epidemic -prone disease data. 
In 2020, CDC has spent over USD 1 million to support DHIS2 in Guinea.  
228.  CDC and its partner AFEN ET continue to support the COVID -19, Marburg, Lassa Fever, and 
Ebola outbreak responses through the deployment of Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) 
graduates. The graduates have been leading surveillance, contact tracing, active case finding, and 
data management in the DHIS2 system used by the Ministry of Health.  
229.  At the national level, CDC and AFENET staff have provided technical assistance for the 
development and monitoring of response strategies for these zoonoses including surveillance guides, 
case definitions, and response plans.  
11.13   A recent article highlights the use of DHIS2 in Guinea for epidemics  
230.  A recent British Medical Journal article highlighted how "Guinea was successful in rapidly 
deploying an EVD module and enhancing it amid an outbreak r esponse despite challenges such as 
limited resources and data quality issues, creating a module that will be a useful tool in future viral 
hemorrhagic fever outbreaks " (https://reliefweb.int/report/guinea/implementing -dhis2 -ebola -virus-
disease -module -during -2021-guinea -ebola -outbreak ). 
11.13.1   DHIS2 and Kassai e -Learning Software – Angola  
231.  DHIS2 is an open source, web -based health manag ement information system (HMIS) platform. 
In FY 2022, USAID extended its support for the USD 3.8 million DHIS2 platform and the Ministry of 
Health 's information management capacity by providing an additional USD 500,000 to scale up the 
DHIS2 project in new  provinces.  Following the Ministry of Health 's approval of the rollout of the 
Kassai e -learning platform in 2020, USAID supported further rollout of the software in FY 2022, 
which provides training resources for health care providers and supervisors and f eeds into DHIS2.  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  232.  DHIS2 targets District Health Care Centers and mostly maternal and newborn childcare. In 
addition, USAID supports an e -learning platform to strengthen the knowledge of healthcare 
providers on malaria prevention and treatment as well as fam ily planning services. The program 
seeks to increase the number of Ministry of Health staff trained on DHIS2 and increase digitization 
of health data collection. As a result of USAID 's advocacy and technical support, the government 
designated DHIS2 as the national Health Management Information System (HMIS). During the peak 
COVID -19 pandemic period, Kassai became an important tool to promote ongoing medical education 
and improvement of healthcare service quality. As of May 2022, Kassai had more than 12,000 unique 
users and 13 courses on malaria, sexual and reproductive health, COVID -19, and maternal and child 
health.  
11.13.2   Angola Health Officials Laud DHIS2 and Kassai  
233.  Dr. Jose Franco Martins, National Malaria Control Program Coordinator at the Ministry of Health 
said, "When I arrived in my role almost three years ago, there was a lag in time between when a 
health facility submitted a report and when national authorities could clear the data for its use. With 
the implementation and scale -up of DHIS2 from service del ivery points to the subnational and 
national levels and increased interoperability with community health workers, I have real time access 
to all epidemiological data produced in the field, allowing me to analyze the data, define program 
strategies, and inf luence decision -making for procurement and capacity building at the highest levels 
of the Ministry of Health. " 
11.13.3   Okoa Maisha Dhibiti Malaria (OMDM) – Save Lives, End Malaria – Tanzania  
234.  The OMDM  activity seeks to institutionalize malaria surveillance and monitoring at all levels of 
the Government of Tanzania (GOT), maximizing the epidemiological impact of implemented malaria 
interventions by improving the targeting and implementation of intervent ions, refining approaches 
to manage transmission foci and respond to outbreaks, and providing key data to the GOT and 
stakeholders for policy development and programmatic decision -making.  
235.  Activities build upon the programmatic context of Tanzania 's existin g surveillance systems, 
including the health management information system (HMIS) / district health information system 
(DHIS2) platform, surveys, and studies, as well as program -specific information systems to monitor 
and evaluate the country 's health stat us and health sector performance, including for malaria. To 
further progress on their respective paths to malaria elimination, OMDM provides technical 
assistance to the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and Zanzibar Malaria Elimination Program 
(ZAMEP ) to strengthen their capacity to analyze and interpret data for use in evidence -based 
decision -making. To mitigate the threat of antimalarial drug resistance to malaria control efforts, 
the NMCP, ZAMEP, and stakeholders must regularly evaluate — through u se of therapeutic efficacy 
studies — antimalarial drug efficacy in a way that provides timely, relevant, reliable, and 
understandable information. OMDM provides grants to local stakeholders and technical support to 
the NMCP and ZAMEP to centralize TES data . This successful activity is targeted to close on time in 
2023.  
11.14   Additional Country Programs  
11.14.1   Young Logisticians Professionals Program (YLPP) – Benin  
236.  USAID 's YLPP supports 30 young professionals to work with decentralized civil and health 
authorities in 29  communes to improve data collection, supply chain reporting, and health 
commodities management. The YLPP aims to strengthen health commodities supply chain analytics 
and decentralized health governance by improving data visibility and quality and promotin g 
accountability among mayors and health professionals and managers. The program started with 
15 YLPPs and scaled up to 30 covering 18 health zones and 29 communes. To promote sustainability 
and self -reliance, USAID has engaged the Benin Ministry of Health , mayors, and the Private Sector 
Health Partnership to commit to expanding the program.  
237.  During numerous trips to the field in fiscal year 2022, the embassy staff has collected 
statements from Ministry of Health staff, mayors, and municipal council members that praise the 
program and attribute to it less frequent disruption of critical medical product stock.  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  11.14.2   Global Health Supply Chain Technical Assistance – Tanzania  
238.  USAID 's Global Health Supply Chain Technical assistance, running between 2019 -2023, will 
improve the health commodities supply chain in Tanzania. The activity is expected to lead to better 
commodity availability and improved health outcomes for Tanzania. This activity has already 
improved the health commodities supply chain by: 1) assisting the T anzania Ministry of Health to 
implement relevant strategic plans; 2) establishing a governance platform to manage future system 
changes/updates to the electronic logistics management information system; 3) supporting key 
supply chain actors to use the Logi stics Management Unit 's performance monitoring plans for greater 
accountability; 4) strengthening the governance of the supply chain system at the district level by 
tracking stock availability; 5) institutionalizing supply chain data quality and use; 6) su pporting the 
rollout of results -based financing in the country; and 7) assisting the Ministry of Health 
Pharmaceutical Services Unit and Policy Planning Unit to better budget for health commodities. 
USAID also provides similar technical assistance in Cambo dia (2017 -2022) and Guinea (2017 -2022).  
11.14.3   Health Policy Plus (HP+) – Madagascar  
239.  During FY 2015 -2022, HP+ aims to support the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and the 
Ministry in charge of water, hygiene, and sanitation, to improve the enabling environment i n the 
areas of policy, advocacy, finance, and governance. HP+ provides support for the review, 
development, and dissemination of policies and strategies and health financing for health systems 
strengthening and universal health coverage. The targets for th is program are as follows:  
a. Contribute to the dissemination of the Family Planning law (training of journalists);  
b. Initiate the evaluation of the existing Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan;  
c. Elaborate strategic documents for a community -based approac h (Guide PAC workshop), 
the Strategic Plan for Reproductive Health/Family Planning 2021 -2025, and Demographic 
Dividend; and  
240.  Support the Government of Madagascar to take strategic decisions on Health System 
Strengthening and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene ( WASH) initiatives, including developing and 
implementing the National Health Insurance Fund as part of the Universal Health Coverage system.  
11.14.4   Africa Laboratory Information System (A -LIS) – Uganda  
241.  Starting in FY 2017, President 's Emergency Plan for AIDS Rel ief (PEPFAR) and the CDC 
provided support to the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) to simplify, standardize, and maintain good 
laboratory practices. This helped the MoH meet national and international standards for accurate 
and reliable testing needed for ac creditation. To accomplish this goal, the US-funded PEPFAR and 
CDC programs helped the MoH customize its open -source computing for good basic laboratory 
information system software, renaming it the Africa Laboratory Information System (A -LIS) and the 
Resul ts Download System (RDS). The A -LIS captures real time laboratory testing data used for both 
clinical decision -making and health indicator reporting, while the RDS allows real -time access to the 
lab results for HIV, TB, disease surveillance, and outbreak i nvestigation.  
242.  Using automated laboratory equipment, the MoH enhanced ALIS ' capabilities, enabling the 
automatic relay of data over the internet from remote health facilities across the country to a central 
national repository used to populate dashboards fo r monitoring diseases, such as HIV and TB. In 
2021, this important upgrade assisted MoH efforts to manage the COVID -19 pandemic.  
243.  In FY22, the CDC, with PEPFAR funding, continued to support the equipment maintenance and 
calibration program at the Uganda Nat ional Equipment Calibration Centre Laboratory (NECL) of the 
Ministry of Health. Building on prior years ' achievements, for the period FY 2020 – June 2022, an 
additional cost saving of USD 850,000 was realized, attributed largely to cost saving on the 
calibration of equipment such as temperature guns, biosafety cabinets, automated pipettes, and 
other auxiliary equipment in addition to required equipment maintenance during the COVID -19 
pandemic.  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  244.  Due to the increased country capacity the CDC built, the equipme nt maintenance/calibration 
response turnaround time improved from more than a month to two weeks and is expected to reduce 
to one week or less when the center refurbishment is completed over this financial year. With this 
increased capacity the demand for calibration and maintenance services increased, therefore the 
CDC is supporting the center refurbishment to create a safer and more appropriate working 
environment and facility physical capacity.  
245.  In efforts to sustain the investment made, the NECL biomedic al engineers/technicians have 
embarked on building the regional biomedical technicians ' capacity in equipment maintenance and 
calibration through hands on training. The support to the NECL is expected to continue in order to 
ensure long term sustainability.  
11.14.5   COVID -19 Preparation and Prevention – Burundi  
246.  USAID has programming on COVID -19 pande mic preparation and prevention through a USAID 
grant for government health program service providers who receive training. USAID also donated 
COVID -19 pandemic prevention equipment to a health center in Burundi. The project also includes 
rehabilitation of water reservoirs to meet critical water, sanitation, and hygiene gaps for health 
centers. The target population is rural Burundians, particularly those who cannot access health 
services that might be available in larger cities.  
247.  As part of its COVID -19 Prep aration and Prevention response, USAID has helped to procure 
the following COVID -19 laboratory supplies:  
 
 
11.14.6   Burundi Health Workers Praise USAID 's Program  
248.  Health workers in the rural areas of Cankuzo and Ruyigi provinces said the program was critical 
to being able to provide health services to local populations who cannot afford the costs of traveling 
to cities where hospitals are located. One healthcare wor ker expressed gratitude for the 
programming, noting that "the (USAID) program allowed his clinic to build an incinerator to burn 
medical waste, build a cistern so that the clinic had a steady supply of clean water, and provided 
basic (PPE) equipment and tr aining on corona (COVID -19 pandemic). " The health worker noted the 
PPE was especially critical, given that his province of Cankuzo is a border province and migrant 
workers and others transited the border informally, often arriving from Tanzania without tes ting, 
and would then seek treatment at his clinic.  
11.14.7   Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM+) – Bangladesh  
249.  The Promoting Quality of Medicines Plus (PQM+) program strengthens the institutional 
capacity of relevant Government of Bangladesh (GOB) institutions,  including the GOB 's Directorate 
General of Drug Administration (DGDA), that are responsible for regulatory processes, quality 
assurance, and quality control systems to ensure that international standards are met. During 
FY 2020-2021, the program will prov ide assistance to the DGDA drug testing laboratories in Dhaka 
and Chittagong to achieve WHO Prequalification accreditation. PQM+ also provides technical support HO Description – 2022 purchases  Qty PU PT USD  
Sample collection kit: swab and viral 
transport medium  40650  1.00 40,650.00  
Extraction kit  20000  0.78 15,600.00  
Abbott Real -time SARS -CoV-2, for use on 
the Abbott m2000 systems (includes 
extraction kit and PCR test)  2400 10 24,000.00  
COVID -19 Antigen Tests  35000  2.55 89,250.00  
Cepheid Xpert  Xpress SARS -CoV-2 test, for 
use on the Cepheid Xpert systems  6000 14.9 89,400.00  
ETHANOL ABSOLU (Litre)  20 63.83  1,276.60  
      260,176.60  IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  to manufacturers of quality -assured priority medicines for TB, maternal and child health (MCH),  and 
family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH). The program will be ongoing until September 2024 . 
11.14.8   Field Epidemiology Training Program – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)  
250.  During FY 2017 -2022, the CDC supports the DRC in strengthening the capacity of its  workforce 
to investigate and respond to disease outbreaks through the establishment of a Field Epidemiology 
Training Program (FETP). FETP trains field epidemiologists — or disease detectives — to identify and 
contain outbreaks before they become epidemics . Participants focus on "learning by doing " to 
develop the skills for gathering critical data and turning it into evidence -based action. The DRC FETP 
has trained 438 disease detectives who are crucial to accurately detecting and identifying outbreaks, 
including the recent Ebola outbreaks. The program started in 2013 and the first cohort graduated in 
2015 and helped support the responses to the 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2022 Ebola outbreaks. A total 
of 148 graduates have rotated to support the Ebola response in the North Kivu province.  
11.14.9   Establishing Virtual Communities of Practice (vCOP) to Combat HIV/AIDs in the 
Chadian Military – Chad  
251.  In FY 2022, the Department of Defense 's HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP), in 
partnership with the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) project, conducted site 
surveys to install video conferencing equipment with Chadian medical units to build and develop 
virtual communities of practice (vCOP) to combat HIV/AIDs within the Chadian military.  
252.  The DoD Offi ce of Security Cooperation (OSC) built the capacity of the Chadian military to 
administer Combat Life Saving/Tactical Combat Casualty Care, through the Chadian CASEVAC 
center. Through the implementation of this multi -year, USD 200,000 program that also equ ipped 
select Chadian military units with 1,000 individual first aid kids (IFAKs), the Chadian military 
reportedly increased the probability of their survival of battlefield wounds from 10 % to 80%. The 
Chadian Air Force has also utilized this training to pr epare for assisting in civilian mass casualty 
incidents when local resources are overwhelmed.  
11.14.10   USAID Enhancing Quality of Healthcare Activity (EQHA) – Cambodia  
253.  During 2018 -2023, the Enhancing Quality of Healthcare Activity (EQHA) program will work to 
impro ve the health of the Cambodian people by empowering national and provincial leaders, as well 
as public and private healthcare managers and providers. The program aims to improve the quality 
of health services by scaling up modern quality improvement (QI) m ethods, strengthening 
healthcare regulation and transforming preservice education by 2023. The project intends to reach 
these goals through these steps:  
a. improve policies, guidelines and standards for streamlined quality assurance;  
b. increase efficiency and e ffectiveness of service delivery;  
c. strengthen implementation and enforcement of the regulatory framework; and  
d. strengthen preservice public health training.  
254.  The EQHA program continues to support the Ministry of Health Human Resource Development 
Department a nd Nursing Council to transform the health workforce by adopting competency -based 
clinical education, which includes: (1) updating the vision and aims of the curriculum for the 
Associate Degree of Nursing, developing an educational glossary, and revising a nd updating the 
Nursing Core Competency Framework (CCF) to align with Association of Southeast Asian Nations 
(ASEAN) core competencies; (2) applying distance learning at four Regional Training Centers (RTCs) 
and the University of Puthisastra to facilitate e-learning, especially in the COVID -19 pandemic 
context; (3) providing simulation teaching equipment, including high -fidelity mannequins, to the 
Battambang and Kampong Cham RTCs to enable students to practice clinical skills and give them 
confidence to pra ctice. The EQHA program supports the establishment of the first National Health 
Accreditation System in Cambodia, including by developing the Cambodian Hospital Accreditation 
Standards and selecting 20 hospitals to field test the standards. The Ministry of  Health of Cambodia 
has adapted the accreditation standards to be used for the National Quality Enhancing and IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  Monitoring systems, which will be implemented nationwide. In preparation for the implementation, 
eleven accreditation coordinators and core traine rs were trained, who also further trained 43 
assessor trainers in this reporting period.  EQHA has introduced a mobile platform, namely SwipeRx, 
to support continuous professional development modules for self -learning by pharmacists to 
strengthen their cap acity and knowledge related to tuberculosis and family planning. Within the 
initial launch of this program, 353 pharmacists and two pharmacy assistants were educated by 
completing and passing the TB Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module. Of thes e, 
286 were women and 69 % of these women were working at pharmacies in EQHA  priority provinces. 
This platform also incorporated an e -referral component in the private pharmacist networks and are 
used to refer HIV and other sexually transmitted infections patients, family planning users, or 
presumptive TB cases to diagnosis and tr eatment services. As a result of this initial effort, 80 patients 
were referred from pharmacies to health facilities.  
11.14.11   Promoting Healthy Behaviors (PHB) Program – Cambodia  
255.  USAID 's PHB program 's objective is to improve healthy behaviors among Cambodians and  
ensure that Cambodians seek and receive quality health care with decreased financial hardship 
through more sustainable systems. There are two main objectives: 1) strengthen public sector 
systems for oversight and coordination of SBC at national and provin cial levels; 2) improve ability 
of individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Women and men in the six provincial communities of 
Kampong Cham, Battambang, Pailin, Tbong Khmum, Kampong Chhnang, and Phnom Penh are 
receiving health information/education about fa mily planning, tuberculosis, hygiene and sanitation, 
maternal and child health, and nutrition, non -communicable diseases, and malaria. Communities in 
the targeted provinces appreciate the opportunity to learn more information on family planning and 
TB, and  they will participate in the program by referring those with suspected symptoms to health 
centers for screening.  
256.  In addition to the six provinces above, and due to the dynamic malaria epidemiology as 
Cambodia approaches elimination, PHB is also supporting  SBC activities specific to malaria in Pursat 
and Kampong Speu provinces and can potentially support additional provinces.  
11.14.12   Health Service Delivery (HSD) – Guinea  
257.  The USAID/Guinea Health Service Delivery (HSD) program runs during FY 2017 -2022 and 
provides t echnical support for the national level management of the DHIS2 data platform. This 
includes ongoing support for the costs of the telephone network between healthcare providers and 
managers, including monitoring of use. HSD has been working closely with re gional and provincial 
health directorates to integrate the costs of maintaining the network into budgets and plan for 
monitoring so that they can take over the functioning of the network. HSD also provides support for 
telephone follow -up to women for at le ast one year following fistula repair in order to identify risks 
for recurrence/failure of the repair and propose strategies and interventions for remediation. During 
FY 2020, despite the COVID -19 pandemic, HSD continued its technical assistance to Governm ent of 
Guinea 's Ministry of Health and Ministry of Heath 's Agency for Health Security. HSD supported the 
preparation and the implementation of the DHIS2/COVID -19 module and COVID -19 data 
management. The HSD program also created WhatsApp groups to support c ontinued delivery of 
quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services.  
11.14.13   Presidential Malaria Initiative – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)  
258.  During 2018 -2023, USAID is providing USD five million for technical assistance, leader ship, 
and training to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation component of the National Malaria Control 
Program (NMCP) and the National Health Management Information Systems in the DRC. PMI also 
monitors the durability of insecticide -treated nets through the Kinshasa School of Public Health and 
entomological data on mosquitos through the DRC 's NMCP. The entomological surveillance will help 
improve future decision -making regarding choice of vector control tools. The program is ongoing 
in 2022.  
11.14.14   CDC SARS -CoV-2 Genomic Sequencing - Malawi  
259.  With increasing number of SARS -CoV-2 variants being identified, capacitating laboratories to 
perform SARS -CoV-2 genomic sequencing is imperative to track these variants to inform public IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  health interventions, including informin g COVID -19 vaccine choice. During FY 2020 -2021, with 
collaboration from Johns Hopkins University, the KRISP Laboratory in South Africa, WHO, and Africa 
CDC, American CDC investments led to the sequencing of approximately 200 specimens, with an 
additional 2 60 samples pending at KRISP Laboratory. This allowed detection of variants of concern. 
Soon, Malawi 's laboratories will be fully functional and have the capability to sequence COVID -19 
specimens locally. The program is ongoing in 2022.  
11.14.15   Global Health Supply  Chain Technical Assistance - Tanzania  
260.  During 2016 -2023, this USAID program will improve the health commodities supply chain in 
Tanzania. The program is expected to lead to better commodity availability and improved health 
outcomes for Tanzania. This progr am is on target to close in 2023 and has improved the health 
commodities supply chain by:  
a. Assisting the Tanzania Ministry of Health to implement its strategic plans;  
b. Establishing a governance platform to manage future system changes/updates to the 
electron ic logistics management information system;  
c. Supporting key supply chain actors to use the Logistics Management Unit 's performance 
monitoring plans for greater accountability;  
d. Strengthening the governance of the supply chain system at the district level by tracking 
stock availability;  
e. Institutionalizing supply chain data quality and use;  
f. Supporting the rollout of results -based financing in the country; and  
g. Assisting the Ministry of Health Pharmaceutical Services Unit and Policy Planning Unit to 
better budget  for health commodities.  
11.14.16   Maji na Usafi wa Mazingira (MUM) – Tanzania  
261.  MUM began in 2021 and runs until August 2026. MUM works with national, regional and district 
stakeholders to improve Tanzania WASH systems for planning, financing, and implementing actions 
to expand WASH and water resources management service, using four complementary 
implementation strategies: building ownership through continuous stakeholder engagement, 
strengthening organizational systems and services, applying market -based principles and learning 
by doing. MUM is a five -year activity that was awarded in August 2021 and works across 10 districts 
in Tanzania. MUM is working to: (1) increase access to sustainable water services managed by the 
Rural Water Supply and Sanit ation Agency and urban water utilities; (2) increase access to finance 
for water, sanitation, and hygiene; (3) strengthen the market for sanitation and hygiene products 
and services; and (4) strengthen basin water boards and water user associations to enha nce 
stewardship of water resources.  
11.14.17   Public Sector Systems Strengthening Plus (PS3+) – Tanzania  
262.  PS3+ began in 2020 and runs until August 2025. The activity strengthens key Government of 
Tanzania management systems, notably the Planning and Reporting system and the Facility Financial 
Accounting and Reporting System, as well as their interoperability with other central 
planning/budgeting and financial management systems. These systems promote evidence -driven 
decision -making using data and information. Better m anagement and coordination of these systems 
enhances rural and urban community systems and improves the planning and management of public 
services, especially agriculture, education, nutrition, water, and sanitation. Improved public services 
facilitate pri vate sector engagement as a partner in the provision of public goods and services. Lastly, 
stronger management systems improve capacity at Regional Secretariat, local government 
authority, and facility levels to plan, generate, and transparently use resour ces through direct facility 
financing and payment systems. PS3+ targets systems strengthening across all 26 regions in 
Tanzania. The goal of PS3+ is to improve evidence -based planning and management of public 
services at local levels, strengthen local gove rnance through citizen engagement and social IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  accountability, and increase efficiency in the collection and transparent use of financial resources. 
PS3+ has extended work in Zanzibar in this financial year to extend the use of strengthened digital 
public se ctor systems in planning and reporting as well as electronic medical records.  
11.14.17.1   Government Praise for Initiative  
263.  Mchau R. B, District Executive Director, Rungwe DC, in his appreciation letter to PS3+ on 
3 June 2022, stated, "On behalf of Rungwe District Coun cil, I would like to take this opportunity to 
convey our gratitude to USAID through PS3+ for their support and working hand in hand with 
Rungwe DC to strengthen Systems and promote good governance and citizen engagement. Recently 
PS3+ in collaboration with  Rungwe DC officers, built capacity on how to use MUKI for quality service 
delivery to all WEOs and VEOs, in -charge of all health facilities together with members of facility 
governing committees and boards in health, education. " 
11.14.18   Human Resources for Health  (HRH) Initiative – Tanzania  
264.  Under a public private partnership established in 2019, the Touch Foundation is coordinating 
the development of a bottom -up Human Resources for Health (HRH) intervention with three 
Government of Tanzania ministries –Ministry of  Health, President 's Office: Regional and Local 
Government, and President 's Office: Public Sector Management and Good Governance. The platform, 
known as Workload Indicator of Staffing Needs – Prioritization and Optimization Analysis (WISN -
POA), calculates and prioritizes HRH need at the public facility and district level and transmits the 
request to the national level. Districts are then informed of how many HRH will be allocated, which 
often requires some re -prioritization based on their budgets. By Septem ber 2022, the government 
will for the first time be operating from the same HRH database that calculates HRH need at the 
lowest level and permits the national level agencies to make their own calculations based on national 
budget and the pool of HRH candid ates. Prior to this, the ministries were operating independently 
and were using hardcopy transmittal of data based on a lot of guesswork.  
11.14.18.1   Government Appreciation for HRH  
265.  According to the Health Sector Strategic Plan (July 2021 -June 2025), the government wi ll 
expand use of WISN -POA, allocating health workers where they are most needed. Dr. Ntuli 
Kapologwe, Director Health Services PORALG states, "The WISN+POA system has helped us to 
improve efficiency in deploying HCWs to lower levels. It also saves us time. "  
12  PROGRAMMING AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO BUILDING LABOR CAPACITY  
266.  US agencies, including the US Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Justice, and 
Department of State, seek to ensure that workers around the world are treated fairly and are able 
to share  in the benefits of the global economy. DOL has developed international projects and joint 
efforts that aid other countries and international organizations to better understand the problems 
facing workers throughout the world and to strengthen internationa l labor standards and worker 
protections. These programs build capacity in global labor markets and help to level the playing field 
among trading partners.  
12.1  Country Programs  
12.1.1   Criminal Defense Training – Burkina Faso, Chad  
267.  DOJ/OPDAT (DOJ Office of Overseas P rosecutorial Development Assistance and Training) has 
provided training to attorneys in criminal defense skills for terrorism cases. Through the Burkina Bar 
Association, OPDAT offered ten Burkinabe lawyers training in 2020 -2021. Since there is no public 
defender 's office in Burkina Faso, all criminal defendants are represented by private attorneys. 
Instructors have included the Federal Public Defender 's Office for the District of Alaska, former 
federal and military defense counsel and prosecutors, and the p resident of the Niger Bar Association.  
268.  In May 2022, 24 members of the Chadian police and military forces completed Managing an 
Antiterrorism Training Program, which equipped them with the skills to build a sustainable and 
scalable antiterrorism training p rogram by developing training curricula, developing program faculty IP/C/R/TTI/USA/3  
 
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  and staff; managing program facilities, equipment, and materials; managing course administration 
and finances; and sustaining an antiterrorism training program.  
12.1.2   Bureau of Counterterrorism and Diplomatic Security 's Anti -Terrorism Assistance 
Program – Burkina Faso  
269.  During FY 2021 -2022, the US Embassy 's Regional Security Officer hosted three cyber security 
training courses – Mobile Device Forensics, Investigating the Dark Web, and Social Media 
Investigations. These courses marked the first time that members of the Special Anti -Terrorist 
Investigation Brigade (BSIAT) received training in cyber security. BSIAT is designated as the primary 
unit in terrorist investigations in Burkina Faso. The cours es focused on how terrorist organizations 
utilize social media and the dark web for operations, including recruitment, and the recovery of 
mobile device digital evidence. The training courses also included members of the Central Brigade 
for the Fight Again st Cybercrime, General Intelligence Division, and the Directorate of Technical and 
Scientific Police – all units that are specialized in investigating cybercrimes.  
13  PROGRAM AND INCENTIVES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION  
13.1  Bridges Project – Madagascar  
270.  The Bridges P roject is an agreement between the leading US based prefabricated metallic 
bridge company and the Government of Madagascar to provide and install hundreds of bridges in 
several regions of the country. This program is divided into multiple phases. The progr ams aim to 
provide about 100 modular metallic bridges to the Government of Madagascar in phase 1 to replace 
existing bridges or install on new routes. The host countries ' engineers, technicians, and workers 
will receive comprehensive training which will al low them to independently install bridges throughout 
the country. The program will run during FY 2021 -2023.  
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