WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
21 November 2006 
 
 (06-5596) 
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 
 
Addendum  
 
 
The following communication, dated 20 October 2006, from the Delegation of the  
United States is being circulated pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Deci sion on Implementation of 
Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement.  It was circ ulated as an advance copy for the TRIPS Council 
Meeting in October 2006. 
_______________ 
 
 
The United States has undertaken to provide info rmation regarding its activities relevant to 
Article 66.2, namely, the provision of incentives to its domestic enterprises and institutions, to 
promote and encourage technology transfer to least  developed country Members (LDCs) in order to 
enable such Members to create a sound and viable  technological base.  The present document is a 
detailed report on actions taken or planned in pursuance of commitments under Article 66.2 for 
consideration of the TRIPS Council.  The intell ectual property, trade cap acity, and infrastructure-
related programmes outlined in this report are integr al elements of the US Government's efforts to 
help create the conditions essential to encourage the effective transfer of technology to LDC 
Members. 
I. GENERAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY  RIGHTS-RELATED PROGRAMME 
A. US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE , US PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO) 
1. Global IP Academy 
1. The USPTO has greatly increased  its training and capacity-building initiatives on intellectual 
property protection and enforcement by creating th e Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA) in 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2005.  Through the GIPA, USPTO brings foreign government officials from 
developing and least developed countries - including judges, prosecutors, police, customs officials, 
patent, trademark, and copyright officials and polic y makers - to the United States to learn, discuss, 
and strategize about global IP protection and enforcement.  
2. In FY 2006 (1 October 2005 to 30 Septem ber 2006), the USPTO conducted 17 GIPA 
programmes for foreign officials at its headquarter s in Alexandria, Virginia, on patent, trademark, 
copyright and enforcement issues.  Over 500 foreign government officials attended these programs, 
including officials from the following least developed countries:  Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethi opia, Gambia, Lao People's Democratic Republic IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
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  (PDR), Lesotho, Madagascar, Moza mbique, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, 
Uganda and Yemen.  In FY 2007, the USPTO plans to conduct at least 21 GIPA programmes 
domestically as well as numerous ot her programmes around the world. 
3. The USPTO Office of Enforcement partnere d with numerous international and non-
governmental organizations in designing and deliv ering technical assistance programmes.  Partner 
organizations included the Association of Sout h East Asian Nations (ASEAN), United Nations 
Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Intern ational Intellectual Property Institute (IIPI), 
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIP O), Asia-Pacific Economic  Cooperation (APEC), 
Secretariat for Central American Integration (SIECA ), and the US Department of State's Bureau for 
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affair s (INL).  The USPTO Office of Enforcement also 
carried out a range of capacity-building programmes under the auspices of the Middle East 
Partnership Initiative (MEPI).  Technical assistance  programmes were offered in Africa, including: 
USPTO-IIPI Botswana Program on Making IP Work for Development; and an INL/USPTO Program 
on Combating Counterfeit Medicines in Sub-Sahara n Africa, in Johannesburg, South Africa.  
4. The USPTO also expanded its intellectual pr operty awareness campaign in FY 2006 through 
its increased participation in US Export Assistance Center (USEAC) programmes, the federal 
government's programme run by the Department  of Commerce's Commercial Service.  USEAC 
programs promote and assist businesses in exporting and financing US goods and services worldwide. Through these programmes, the USPTO attorney-adviso rs provided personalized assistance to small 
and medium-sized businesses in various cities th roughout the United States about the Strategy 
Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) initiative,  the resources on the www.stopfakes.gov website, and 
the need to consider securing patents and tradem arks on a country-by-country basis.  The USPTO 
plans to continue its partnership w ith the USEAC programmes in FY 2007. 
B. US
 DEPARTMENT OF STATES  
1. Science and Technology Agreements of the US Department of State 
5. The United States pursues science and technology (S&T) cooperation agreements with both 
developed and developing countries as an effort to foster partnerships between the scientific 
communities of both countries.  Within the contex t of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement, such 
cooperation activities with developing countries, a nd the exchange and diffu sion of knowledge and 
technologies, strengthen economic c ooperation, and are important mech anisms for the development of 
national economies and the basis for expanded trade.   The collaborative S&T relationships between 
the United States and developed countries often yiel d benefits to developing countries as well.  The 
S&T cooperation agreements contain provisions for the protection of intellectual property, due to the 
nature of the research and technology transfer, which may take place pursuant to the agreement. 
6. The S&T agreements are not funding mechanis ms, but enjoin the governments to seek 
collaborative relationships, which build science ca pacity and infrastructure and apply science, 
technology, and engineering to f acilitate a developing country's in tegration into the global economy. 
Areas which may be covered include:  basic resear ch and science education, meteorology and weather 
forecasting, health sciences and public health, wa tershed management, envi ronment and biodiversity 
protection, energy and alternative energy research and development, information and communications 
technology, and biotechnology (in all facets).  Scie nce relationships have the ancillary benefit of 
helping to foster democracy and civil society, enha ncing a country's ability to make science informed 
decisions on issues related to sustainable developm ent, and advancing the fr ontiers of knowledge.  A 
new S&T agreement was signed between the Unite d States and India in October 2005.  This 
agreement will strengthen the science and technolog y capabilities of both the United States and India, 
expand relations between our extensive scientif ic and technological communities, and promote 
technological and scientific cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.  The S&T agreement contains  IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
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  provisions affording IPR protection, security, technolo gy transfer, data and material exchanges, as 
well as other key functions.  
7. In addition, bilateral S&T agreements have been  or are in the process of being concluded with 
Algeria, Bangladesh, Cape Verde, Morocco, T unisia, and Uruguay.  A S&T agreement is under 
discussion with Thailand. 
8. The Embassy Science Fellows Program is another major effort applicable to Article 66.2 of 
the TRIPS Agreement.  Through this programme , US Government agencies send representatives to 
Embassies abroad to look at establishing new institu tional linkages and long-te rm partnerships with 
the S&T community in government, academia, and th e private sector.  Currently, over 50 Embassy 
Science Fellows are being placed overseas, principa lly to countries not already covered by traditional 
S&T agreements.  The experience has resulted in  the formation of im portant new networks. 
2. Millennium Challenge Account 
9. In March 2002, President Bush announced his intent to establish a special development 
assistance programme, the Millennium Challenge Acc ount (MCA), designed to help spur economic 
growth in developing nations.  The goal of th e MCA is to achieve poverty reduction through 
economic growth by investing in areas such as ag riculture development, education, enterprise and 
private sector development, governance, health, infra structure, land titling, and trade and investment 
capacity building.  In January 2004, Congress a pproved legislation auth orizing the Millennium 
Challenge Corporation (MCC) and provided MCA US$1 billion in FY 2004.  Congress provided 
US$1.5 billion in FY 2005, and US$1.77 billion in FY 2006.  As a new approach to development 
assistance, the MCA establishes a true partnershi p in which the developing country, with the 
participation of its citizens, proposes its own priorities and plans for MCA funding. 
10. The Millennium Challenge Corporation Board of Di rectors has determined a list of eligible 
countries, and has invited proposals for MCA assistance.  Currently 22 countries are eligible: Armenia, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verd e, East Timor, El Salvador, Georgia, Ghana, 
Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia , Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, 
Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, a nd Vanuatu.  Nine countries have signed contracts, totalling 
US$2.1 billion, while the rest are negotiating with the MCC or have submitted contracts for approval.  
In these partnerships, countries identify their own highest priorities for achieving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction, based on rigorous analysis of constraints to poverty 
reduction and growth, and recognizing that economic growth is largely driven by a country's own efforts, policies, and people.  Examples of the ac tivities that MCA will fund include education, water, 
micro-credit, rural development, infrastru cture, and financial sector development. 
C. US
 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE , COMMERCIAL LAW DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM  
11. The US Department of Commerce Commercial  Law Development Program (CLDP) provides 
training and consultative services with respect to IPRs through a variety of mechanisms.  Those 
include conducting conferences and workshops on IP R and providing training that focuses on law, 
administrative practices and enforcement.  A significant portion of CLDP IPR activities are designed 
to assist countries to comply with the WTO TR IPS Agreement.  In 2006, the CLDP activities 
consisted of work in the following nations and areas: 
Nigeria:   In September 2006 CLDP provided a workshop on the Reform in the Legislation 
and Adjudication of Nigeria's Intellectual Prope rty.  The workshop succeeded in improving 
the skill and knowledge level of Nigerian judg es in the implementation, enforcement, and 
adjudication of IP issues.  The workshop also  revived and updated the substantive draft IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
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  industrial property legislation, which would bri ng Nigeria's legislation in line with prevailing 
international standards. 
Russia:  CLDP, working with Russia's Patent and Trademark office (Rospatent), completed 
translation of an IP training manual to impr ove the knowledge and technical skills of IP 
lawyers, regulators and judges who are respons ible for managing and implementing Russia's 
IP laws. 
CLDP funded the participation of one Russian in the GIPA from 13 June to 16 June 2006 at 
USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.  Th e GIPA provided IP training to leaders of 
industrial property offices, patent and trad emark examiners, and other IP experts. 
In November 2006, CLDP will provide a wo rkshop on IP Border Enforcement for both 
Russian and Ukrainian customs officials.  With  a view to improving the enforcement of IP 
protection at the border between Russian and Ukraine, the workshop will explore 
communication mechanisms between Russian and Ukrainian border officials, promote the 
possibility of an information sharing agreement, discuss the structure of efficient IP border enforcement, introduce techniques for risk ma nagement (including targeting shipments), 
discuss making infringement determinations and suspending release of goods, and examine 
the operational components of ex officio authority. 
Ukraine:  From 13-14 February 2006, CLDP funde d the participation of a Ukrainian 
delegation in the GIPA.  The GIPA provided IP  training to leaders of industrial property 
offices, patent and trademark examiners, and other IP experts. 
CLDP, working with Ukraine's State Depart ment of Intellectual Property has begun the 
translation of an IP training manual into Ukrain ian.  This manual will be  used to improve the 
knowledge and technical skills of IP lawyers, regulators and judges who are responsible for 
managing and implementing Ukraine's IP laws. 
The Philippines:  In September 2006, CLDP conducted a conference on Intellectual Property 
Law and Enforcement in the Philippines.  The conference brought together members of the 
academic, business, and government communities to  discuss the country's efforts to fully 
comply with the WIPO Internet Treaties.  Participants looked at ways to combat e-piracy. 
Pakistan:  In March 2006, CLDP worked with Pakist an's Intellectual Property Organization. 
CLDP advisors, including an IP expert, shared information with officials in Pakistan on best practices in patent office operations.  They also lo oked at ways to develop strategies for faster 
and more accurate patent application determination. 
On 18-19 September 2006, CLDP held a semina r in which they worked with Pakistan's 
Intellectual Property Organization and judici ary to promote a better understanding of IP 
principles and law.  CLDP, along with IP e xperts and a US federal judge, worked with 
members of the Pakistani judiciary to help th em gain a deeper understanding of the law as 
well as an appreciation for the social and commercial benefits of an effective IP regime. 
On 20 September 2006, CLDP held a forum in Pakistan on IP that included judges and IP 
professionals.  The forum provided an outlet fo r the participants to realize issues and 
problems with the country's IP capabilities, a nd allowed them to make recommendations for 
change.  Among those recommendations were:  the creation of specialized IP courts and of 
procedural manuals for the judiciary and IP  professionals, initiating a pilot programme for 
resolution of IP disputes via Alternative Di spute Resolution, and creating a training 
programme for prosecutors.  IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
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  Algeria:  In February 2006, a US Government inter-agency committee decided on a process 
meant to create momentum in the US-Algeria dialogue.  In support of this process, CLDP's 
advisor went twice to Algeria during the quarter and provided guidance to the country's WTO task force.  
In FY 2006, CLDP continued a three-phase judicial capacity building programme in Algeria.  
The programme focused on giving Algerian judg es specialized training and materials to help 
them understand and enforce IPRs.  As a result of  this programme, there is now a critical mass 
of judges trained in IPRs in Algeria. 
In 2005, the US Embassy in Algeria asked CLDP to provide assistance to the country in order 
to help create a legislative and regulatory fra mework that would protect IP and make it 
possible for franchising to exist in Algeria.  CLDP organized franchising consultations in the 
US for a mixed group of Algerian officials and private sector representatives.  As a result of 
these consultations, Algeria's Franchising Asso ciation was created.  As a second phase, in 
early June 2006, CLDP made it possible fo r a delegation from Algeria's Franchising 
Association to attend the annual International Franchising Association (IFA) conference in 
Washington D.C.  As a result, Algeria's Fran chising Association has gained legitimacy and 
expertise from attendance at IFA's conference th at will enable the Association to provide 
input to the officials drafting Algeria's franchising law. 
Tunisia:   In 2005, the US Embassy in Tunisia asked  CLDP to organize consultations in the 
United States for a mixed group of Tunisian Hea lth Ministry (Pharmacy Directorate) officials 
and private sector representatives.  These consultations focused on "The Regulation of the US 
Pharmaceutical Market" and took place in June 2006.   
As a result of these consultations, Tunisia's Ministry of Health (Pharmacy Directorate) gained 
an understanding of the benefits ensuing from a competitive pharmaceutical market.  It also 
identified concrete projects for possible coopera tion with US Pharmacopeia (USP) and with 
the National Institutes of Health.   
Because Tunisia's Ministry of Research and Technology is a key "champion" of the 
enforcement of IP rights in Tunisia, CLDP, at the behest of the US Embassy in Tunis, has 
provided technical assistance to the Ministry over the past year.  In particular, CLDP helped 
the Ministry develop a methodology to decide which Tunisian discoveries resulting from publicly funded R&D are worth patenting.  As pa rt of this capacity building project, in June 
2006, a CLDP advisor went to Tunisia to help the Ministry test the methodology on two 
concrete projects.  As a result, the Ministry now has a functioning methodology that will 
result in more worthwhile discoveries being patent ed in Tunisia.  This, in turn, will increase 
Tunisia's vested interest in ensuring that IP  rights are effectively enforced in Tunisia.   
USPTO cooperation in Algeria and Tunisia:  CLDP conducted the third phase (US 
consultations for judicial participants in CL DP workshops) of programmes started in Algeria 
and Tunisia.  In their written evaluations, several participants mentioned that, besides helping 
with the resolution of disputes that impact ec onomic development, the expertise they gained 
through the programmes enables them to dischar ge their judicial duties better, which will 
contribute to greater respect for the Judiciary in their country and for the Rule of Law. 
CLDP also received active support from USPTO, which took the lead on several very well 
received IP modules incorporated into judicial capacity building seminars for Algerian and 
Tunisian judges. IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
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  The Tunisian programme, entitled "Consulta tions on Law and Economics, Furthering 
Economic Development through Law Reform" sp ecifically focused on how legislation can 
contribute to significant SME development a nd could inspire commercial law reforms in 
Tunisia.  The US laws examined during the c onsultations included the Bayh-Dole Act and the 
Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which specifically  dealt with transfer of technology issues.  
The Tunisian judges understood the connec tion between transforming publicly funded 
research and development into privately owned IP and the growth of the innovation market. 
During the Algerian consultations, the judg es worked through a full day of mediation 
exercises dealing with a hypothetical tradem ark infringement case.  The judges understood 
through the case study the detrimental economic effects of IPR violations.   
II. TRADE CAPACITY PROGRAMMES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 
A. OVERVIEW  
12. Trade Capacity Building assistance (TCB) is a cornerstone of the US Government's strategy 
to promote economic growth through trade and to enable developing countries to negotiate and 
implement market-opening and reform-oriented trad e agreements.  TCB helps to improve the linkage 
between trade and development by providing deve loping countries with tools to maximize trade 
opportunities, including through fostering environmen ts favorable to technology transfer.  Many 
developing countries lack a framework for understandi ng how reciprocal agreements to lower trade 
barriers serve their development interests.  Furthe rmore, they may need assistance to implement their 
trade commitments in a full and timely manner.  C ountries also need assistan ce to build the physical, 
human and institutional capacity necessary to take  full advantage of trade opportunities and to 
increase growth and reduce poverty. 
13. The United States devoted US$199 million to T CB activities in sub-Sa haran Africa in 
FY2005 – up more than 10 per cent from FY2004 a nd up roughly 50 per cent from FY2003.  USTR 
works closely with several US ag encies, including the US Agency  for International Development 
(USAID), Customs and Border Protection, the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the 
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and the Departments of State, Agriculture, 
Commerce, and Transportation to ensure that US -sponsored TCB assistance is comprehensive and 
responsive to both African needs and US trade policy objectives.  Helping African Growth and 
Opportunity Act (AGOA) beneficiary countries to im prove their capacity to trade and to make the 
most of the opportunities afforded under AGOA has been a major focus of US TCB programmes.  
The activities of the four USAID-managed Regiona l Trade Hubs for Global Competitiveness in sub-
Saharan Africa (in Botswana, Ghana, Keny a, and Senegal) reinforce this goal. 
14. The United States is the largest single-country contributor to the World Bank and other 
multilateral development banks and is  a major contributor to other in ternational organizations, which 
together provide an increasingly broad range of TCB assistance to sub-Saharan African countries and 
to other developing countries worldwide.  The United States is aggressively funding programs and developing new initiatives at the multilateral and b ilateral levels to address the specific needs of 
African countries with respect to reducing poverty and spurring economic growth.  The United States 
has matched its broad trade initiatives with more fo cused assistance at the regional, sub-regional, and 
country levels. 
15. Trade and technology-related capacity build ing is an important element of AGOA 
implementation.  In FY2005, the United Stat es provided over US$150 million in trade-related 
technical assistance to AGOA beneficiary countries, up 53 per cent from FY2004.  Several US 
agencies - including USAID, Customs and Border Protection, and the Departments of State, Agriculture, and Commerce – have conducted technical  assistance and outreach programs designed to  IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
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  assist beneficiary countries to take full advantag e of their AGOA benefits. AGOA implementation is a 
major focus of the four Regional Trade Hubs, wh ich conduct seminars and workshops designed to 
help African businesses make the most of AGOA's trade opportunities. 
16. In July 2005, the United States announced the African Global Competitiveness Initiative 
(AGCI) to build sub-Saharan Africa's capacity fo r trade and competitiveness.  The AGCI will provide 
US$200 million in funding over five years to suppor t expanded African trade and improved African 
export competitiveness. 
17. As part of its response to the WTO Doha De velopment Agenda, the United States, through 
USAID, is providing a wide range of support fo r the Integrated Framework (IF) initiative, a multi-
agency, multi-donor programme that helps least deve loped countries to expand their participation in 
the global economy and to enhance their economic gr owth and poverty reduction strategies.  Twenty-
six sub-Saharan African countries ha ve benefited to date from the IF or are targeted for assistance 
under it: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Ce ntral African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, 
Ethiopia, the Gambia, Guinea, Lesotho, Madagascar , Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, 
Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. 
Eritrea, however, has "taken a pause" from the IF pro cesses at this time.  The United States is a strong 
supporter of the IF and, along with Switzerland, ser ved as one of the two bilateral donor coordinators 
in the Integrated Framework Working Group during 2004-2005.  In addition, the USAID missions in 
Mali and Mozambique are currently serving as IF donor  facilitators in the field, and several other 
missions have offered to assume this role in other IF countries. 
18. The United States has contributed funds for the past few years to the Integrated Framework 
Trust Fund to finance Diagnostic Trade Integra tion Studies (DTIS) and Window II projects.  The 
DTIS identifies:  (1) constraints to trade in the ta rgeted country;  (2) sectors with export potential, and 
(3) a plan of action to integrate the country into the global trading system.  Window II projects are transitional, priority projects funded by the IF Trust Fund to bridge the time it  takes donors to get their 
trade integration programs running.  Further, US AID's bilateral assistance to LDC participants 
supports initiatives both to integrate trade into na tional economic and development strategies and to 
address high priority "behind-the-border" capacity building needs designed to accelerate integration 
into the global trading system.  In FY2005, US bilateral TCB assistance to the 26 sub-Saharan African countries currently participating in the IF exceed ed US$128 million, a 98 per cent increase from the 
nearly US$65 million provided in FY2004. 
B. US
 AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT  
19. USAID is one of the principal US Government agencies involved in implementing the 
Administration's goal to promote economic growth and reduce poverty in Africa.  Increasingly, African countries are recognizing the crucial role that trade can play in promoting economic development and are actively seeking to expand thei r participation in the global economy. Helping 
African countries to integrate into the world economy is a primary objective of USAID's economic 
growth and trade activities, which support African tr ade and investment policy, institutional analysis 
and reform, trade capacity building and technical tr aining, and the promotion of US-Africa private 
sector development.  USAID's TCB activities are mainstreaming trade into economic development 
programs.  USAID development programmes work in  tandem with trade legislation such as AGOA 
and multilateral efforts such as the Integrated Fr amework to help African countries expand their 
capacity to trade.  In FY2005, USAID provided US$83.5 million in TCB funds for sub-Saharan 
Africa. 
20. In FY2005, USAID supported AGOA and increased trade and investment in Africa through 
several programs, especially President Bush's Trade for African Development and Enterprise 
Initiative (TRADE).  TRADE was a four-year, US$70 million Initiative that helped African IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
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  businesses in eligible countries take advantage of  increased trading opportunities provided through 
AGOA.  It promoted regional cooperation and tr ade and also provided technical assistance for 
economic policy formation.  The TRADE Initiative began in 2002 and ende d in FY2005 when it was 
superceded by the African Global Competitiveness In itiative (AGCI) announced by President Bush at 
the July 2005 AGOA Forum in Dakar, Senegal.  The AGCI is a US$200 million Presidential Initiative 
covering the 2006-2010 period. 
21. The AGCI operates within the framework of  AGOA and builds on the platforms established 
under the TRADE Initiative.  The goal of AGCI is to promote the export competitiveness of sub-
Saharan African enterprises in order to expand Af rican trade with the Unit ed States, with other 
international trading partners, a nd regionally within Africa.  Its operational objectives include:  (1) 
improving the policy, regulatory, and implementati on environment for private sector-led trade and 
investment;  2) strengthening the knowledge and skills of sub-Saharan African private sector 
enterprises to take advantage of market opportun ities;  3) increasing access to financial services for 
trade and investment; and 4) facilitating investments in infrastructure. 
22. The AGCI works with host-country government a nd private sector partners primarily through 
the four Trade Hubs for Global Competitiveness:  in Gaborone, Botswana;  Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, 
Ghana;  and Dakar, Senegal.  (The establishm ent of the Dakar Hub was announced at the 2005 AGOA 
Forum and was officially opened in November 2005.)  Each Hub is staffed by a team of experts in 
various trade-related fields and responds to region-specific needs and serves as a central point where 
African and US government agencies, donor and civil society organizations, and the private sector can 
find information and technical assistance on trade,  investment, and business activities in the region, 
including training opportunities.  The Trade Hubs al so work with regional organizations to increase 
regional economic integration and re duce barriers to regional trade.  USAID's bilateral missions also 
partner directly with the Trade Hubs on crosssect oral economic growth and trade activities.  Further 
information about the Hubs can be found on the In ternet at www.watradehub.com (for the two hubs in 
West Africa), www.satradehub.org (for Southern Africa), and www.ecatradehub.com (for Eastern and 
Central Africa). 
23. Of particular importance to the implemen tation of AGOA, USAID funds agricultural 
standards advisors from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to work with 
each Trade Hub and with USAID missions on coordinating pest risk assessments for prospective agricultural exports to the Unite d States from African countries.  USAID's bilateral and regional 
missions also play an important role in the Administ ration's efforts to assist countries in the region to 
develop AGOA strategies and strengthen their capacities to respond to trade opportunities. 
24. The following are additional examples of USAI D trade capacity building activities in support 
of AGOA: 
Southern Africa Trade Hub and Regional USAID Mission:   The Southern Africa Global 
Competitiveness Hub (SAGH), based in Gaborone, Botswana, works in four core areas: 
capacity-building and policy reform for trad e and competitiveness; customs modernization 
and transport facilitation;  financial services;   and building private sector advocacy and 
outreach.  The SAGH works to increase export volumes, reduce transaction costs, promote 
viable new deals, enhance private sector advocacy, and promote pro-competitive policies. 
The SAGH continues to assist customs agen cies in Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, 
Namibia, and Zambia as they introduce risk ma nagement practices aimed at facilitating faster 
customs clearance.  The Hub supported the launch of Time Release Studies in Southern 
Africa, and facilitated the adoption of a singl e administrative document for customs clearance 
along the Trans Kalahari Corridor, which is now  being rolled out throughout SACU.  In 
addition, the Hub has worked to facilitate  implementation of a regional customs bond  IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
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  guarantee, and undertook a needs assessment of trade facilitation in Zambia to identify the 
implications for implementing new WTO disciplin es in this area.  The objectives are to reduce 
transaction costs, stimulate economic activities, enhance regional integration, and promote global competitiveness for the region. 
East and Central Africa Trade Hub and Regional USAID Mission:   The East and Central 
Africa (ECA) Hub, based in Nairobi, Kenya, has four components:  trade policy/capacity 
building, AGOA, transport, and customs.  The ECA Hub's AGOA component centers on 
business linkages, business development assistance, the provision of technical assistance, and training and knowledge-sharing about AGOA opportunities. In 2005, the Hub conducted 
country-specific AGOA training workshops for the private sectors in Ethiopia, Kenya and 
Uganda. Over 500 business persons were trained.  In Uganda, training included specialized 
sessions for Ugandan and regional customs offici als on AGOA rules of origin.  In October, 
the ECA Hub, in close collaboration with USAID and USTR, held the first Regional AGOA 
Export Diversification Workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  The two-day workshop brought together US government experts, sector sp ecialists, importers and business representatives 
from throughout East and Central Africa to e xplore ways to enhance AGOA utilization in the 
region. The workshop included breakout sessions in three sectors: handicrafts, home accessories/home furnishings and leather goods. 
The ECA Hub organized four trade missions to the United States in 2005 for 
handicrafts/home accessories, furniture, te xtile/apparel, and processed food/beverage 
manufacturers.  Collectively, 30 companies from the region participated in these trade shows 
and completed deals worth over US$11 million in exports to the United States.  Each dollar 
spent by the ECA Hub in direct technical assistance and trade show support resulted in US$182 of exports to the United States under AGOA.  This return on Hub investment was five times greater than that of 2004.  The Hub provided firm-level technical assistance, chiefly 
through International Executive Service Corps Volunteer Experts, to several export-ready 
firms in the textiles/apparel, handicrafts, leather/leather goods and specialty food and 
beverage sectors.  The technical assistance provided specialized support in such areas as 
design, pricing and marketing for penetration of the US market under AGOA. 
The ECA Hub continued to s upport women-owned/managed busin esses.  It commissioned an 
assessment of women-owned and -operated bus inesses in selected countries in the East and 
Central Africa region, with emphasis on the businesses' experience with and utilization of 
AGOA. The report served as the basis for a roundtable discussion at the July 2005 AGOA 
Forum in Dakar. 
The ECA Hub staff includes a trade facilitation specialist based at COMESA headquarters in 
Lusaka, Zambia as part of the partnership between USAID and the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).  The ECA Hub also works closely with a 
USDA/APHIS Advisor based in Kampala, Uganda .  Pest Risk Assessments (PRAs) were 
completed for baby corn, carrots, and gard en peas from Kenya, as well as litchis from 
Madagascar.  PRAs have been initiated for bananas from Uganda and passion fruit from four 
countries in the region. 
In the area of trade capacity building and po licy formation, the Hub's emphasis is on 
assistance related to WTO, COMESA, and SPS i ssues, as well as export strategy development 
and policy analysis.  ECA Hub efforts in the area of customs harmonization and trade 
facilitation are directed toward enhancing custom s capabilities so as to facilitate trade.  The 
Hub's work on transport and trade efficiency is  focused on the development of a commercially 
viable transport corridor that links Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic 
Republic of Congo, with offshoots toward Sudan and Ethiopia. IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
Page 10  
 
  USAID's Regional Economic Development Servic es Office for Eastern and Southern Africa 
(REDSO/ESA), also based in Nairobi, is impl ementing several other trade-related assistance 
projects.  To improve trade and food security  in the region, REDSO/ESA is supporting the 
provision of technical assistance to regional A frican institutions to improve performance in 
governance, programme management, external  relations and outreach, and information 
technology.  USAID is working with COMESA to reduce trade barriers within COMESA and 
to track progress on policy reform and trade volumes.  Training is being provided to more than 200 private and public sector representatives on trade in services and to over 350 entrepreneurs on accessing trade under the WTO and AGOA.  REDSO/ESA also supports 
analysis, advocacy and dialogue to advance polici es to enhance trade and food security in the 
region. Technical assistance is being provi ded to develop biot echnology regulations, 
streamline customs procedures, and harmonize regional policies in investment, trade in 
commodities, seeds, services, and telecommunications. 
West Africa Regional Program and Trade Hub:  USAID's West Africa Regional Program 
(WARP), based in Accra, Ghana, manages pr ograms that increase tr ade competitiveness in 
West Africa and assist governments and the pr ivate sector to take advantage of AGOA. 
WARP's programmes focus on improving the enabling environment to conduct trade, 
assisting the private sector to compete globally and to take advantage of AGOA, and facilitating investment in critical infrastructure in support of trade. 
In support of a better enabling environment, the West African Global Competitiveness Hub, 
also based in Accra, assist ed Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and 
UEMOA in regional efforts to improve road governance on major transport corridors and to 
develop harmonized sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards.  The West Africa Hub also continued to support ECOWAS' Community Comput er Center in Lome to develop a regional 
customs information system that allows for sh aring of customs data throughout the region. 
To support the private sector, the West African APHIS Advisor based out of WARP 
completed seven pest risk assessments in FY2005, including aspa ragus and melon from 
Senegal;  okra, mango and eggplant from Ghan a; and tomatoes and papaya for all of 
ECOWAS.  The PRAs are a first step toward Africa exporting these fresh products to the United States under AGOA. The APHIS Advisor is also working with the Hub to facilitate 
discussions between national atomic energy departments and USDA, State, USAID, USTDA and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)  on whether irradiation technology can be 
an effective technology to support the export of  more West African agricultural commodities 
to the United States under AGOA. 
USAID/WARP continued its support of the Ma rket Information Systems and Trade and 
Producer Organizations for West Africa project (MISTOWA) in FY2005.  This project trained hundreds of leaders of producer a nd trader organizations to use information 
technology to trade regionally. The MISTOWA project puts technology at the disposal of 
thousands of small and medium-sized West A frican agribusinesses so that they can increase 
regional trade. In 2005, a network of regional partners and organizati ons was developed to 
provide price, quantity, contact and other info rmation necessary for trade at the disposal of 
these businesses. Businesses can now look beyond markets in their capital city to meet 
demand elsewhere in the region. In 2006, it is expected that partner organizations will 
increase their intraregional trade in commoditie s such as maize, cassava,  rice and onions by 
five per cent over previous years.  IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
 Page 11 
 
 
  C. US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE  
25. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is actively involved in planning and coordinating 
TCB programs in sub-Saharan Africa. The follo wing is a sampling of initiatives and programme 
implementation activities that USDA undertook in 2005 to support the AGOA agenda: 
Science and Technology Conferences:   USDA assisted Mali in facilitating an ECOWAS 
Ministerial Conference on Biotechnology in June  2005, as a follow-up conference to the June 
2004 Science and Technology Conference held in  Burkina Faso. The purpose of the Bamako 
conference was to encourage regional harmonization of biotechnology research, regulations, and public outreach. 
Biotechnology Outreach Activities :  The goal of this broad group of activities is to 
encourage African scientists and their instituti ons to provide science-based information to the 
general public on technical matters that imp act trade, agricultural production, and food 
security.  For FY2005, USDA allocated over US$100,000 for biotechnology outreach 
activities in sub-Saharan Africa.  Activities im plemented included an August 2005 study tour 
for East African regulators and policy makers  on biotechnology field trials in the United 
States and a March 2006 farmer-to-farmer works hop on agricultural biotechnology in South 
Africa for farmer and seed industry leaders from Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda and 
Mozambique. These activities were coordinate d with ongoing US Government outreach 
programs (primarily through USAID) and supported the training of African scientists and policymakers with a view to field-testing of biotech crops.  The safe conduct of field trials will facilitate the development of biotechnolog y products relevant to African agriculture, 
encourage African ownership and acceptance of agricultural biotechnology and help jumpstart 
functioning regulatory systems.  These activ ities are a collaborative effort among key US 
regulatory agencies, the USDA/Biotech Group, USDA overseas posts, private industry, the American and African Seed Trade Associations , and NGOs including AfricaBio.  In addition, 
USDA biotechnology capacity efforts in Africa are coordinated with USAID's Agricultural 
Biotechnology Support Project II and Program for Biosafety Systems, which have a number 
of regulatory and public outreach activities that support specific crop improvement programmes. 
D. US
 TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY  
26. The US Trade and Development Agency (UST DA) advances economic development and US. 
commercial interests in developing and middle-income  countries. The agency funds various forms of 
technical assistance, feasibility studies, training,  orientation visits, and business workshops that 
support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA 
activities directly support AGOA implementation by helping to create an enabling environment for 
increased US-Africa trade and investment. 
27. Recognizing the importance of trade to the re gion's growth, USTDA worked closely in 
FY2005 with USTR, other US Government agenci es, and the regional economic communities in 
Africa to develop trade capacity in sub-Saharan Africa.  In addition, USTDA is dedicated to 
promoting public-private partners hips in all of its work.  Through the provision of grant funding, 
USTDA assists AGOA partners in the critical planning phase of priority infrastructure and manufacturing projects.  In the past year, US TDA funded numerous proj ects designed to expand 
African capacity to maximize economic growth under the AGOA framework.  The following is a 
sampling of recent USTDA trad e capacity building activities: IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
Page 12  
 
  UEMOA Agency for Aviation Safety and Security :  USTDA sponsored US$353,000 in 
technical assistance to the West  African Economic and Monetary Union (known by its French 
acronym, UEMOA) to analyse and make recomme ndations for the establishment of a regional 
aviation safety and security regulatory agency.  The new agency is part of UEMOA's overall 
COSCAP project, which involves numerous entitie s such as the International Civil Aviation 
Authority (ICAO), the US Federal Aviation Administration, and the World Bank. 
UEMOA Regional Rail Integration:   USTDA provided a US$614,600 grant to UEMOA for 
a feasibility study to analyse a regional railway interconnection project with three sub-components: a railway connection between Ma li and Burkina Faso, a connection between 
Burkina Faso and Niger, and a connection be tween Niger and Benin. The rail integration 
project would also allow rail access to altern ative seaports from the landlocked countries. 
New Partnership for Africa's Developm ent (NEPAD) Transaction and Financial 
Advisory Assistance:   USTDA is providing a US$361,476 grant to partially fund a NEPAD 
Transaction and Financial Advisory Technical Assistance project. The purpose of this technical assistance is to provide financing, promotion, and advisory services to the NEPAD 
Secretariat to package and promote three key re gional projects to financiers, including private 
US financiers.  The projects – the Benin/ Togo/Ghana Interconnect Project, the COMTEL 
(COMESA Telecom) Project, and the Addis Abab a Dry Port Project - were selected among 
those listed in NEPAD's Short-Term Action Plan, which includes cross-border projects designated by regional economic communities as a priority for their members. 
Private Agribusiness Development Project:   This US$338,012 USTDA-sponsored 
feasibility study will provide assistance to he lp strengthen and diversify the agribusiness 
sector in Mali. The study will analyze a nd provide business plans for three private 
agribusiness firms currently operating in the country  involved in four prospective projects:  a 
fruit juice production line, an animal feed m ill, a pasta snack production line, and a cold 
storage facility. 
E. US
 SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION  
28. The US Small Business Administration (SBA ) continues to support AGOA through technical 
assistance and transfer of technology.  In 2005, the SBA hosted officials from over 35 sub-Saharan 
African countries who were interested in how SBA develops technical assistance and finance 
programs and distributes those services to the bus iness communities throughout the United States. 
The visits typically involved a two-three day overv iew of the SBA with visits to district offices, 
resource partners, and business information centres. 
F. AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION  
29. The African Development Foundation (ADF) is a US Government agency and corporation 
that invests directly in African small and medium -scale enterprises, agribusinesses, and smallholder 
farming operations, in order to diversify thei r product lines, enhance quantity and quality of 
production, and enable them to access regional a nd global markets. ADF's business model - which 
involves African-led, on-the-ground operations, country - and industry-specific investment strategies, 
host government co-investment, and private sector pa rtnership - allows the agency to serve as a 
catalyst for enterprise development in Africa and fo r advancing the goals of AGOA.  ADF responds to 
unsolicited funding proposals from African small- and medium-sized companies, agricultural producer groups, cooperatives, and community-based organizations.  ADF helps its grantees diagnose 
their constraints, assess market opportunities, conduct rigorous financial analyses on investment 
options, and develop business plans to support commercia lly viable activities that generate income for 
owners, employees, and agricultural suppliers.  ADF provides businesses with a comprehensive,  IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
 Page 13 
 
 
  integrated package of investment capital, tec hnology, training, and technical, managerial and 
marketing assistance.  ADF-suppor ted enterprises receive up to US$250,000 in grant financing, but 
commit to contribute up to 100 per cent of the grant amount – based on business projections and actual profitability – to a local development trust. 
30. The Trade and Investment (T&I) programme is ADF's fastest growing program area.  ADF's 
investments in T&I projects have generated rapid and impressive impact over the past five years. 
During FY2005: 
• ADF made direct investments in 25 new enterprises, totaling US$5,627,298. 
 
• T&I projects accounted for 49 per cent of new obligations. 
 
• The proportion of T&I projects in ADF's total portfolio grew to 26 per cent, up from 
10 per cent in FY2002. 
 
• 95 per cent of all projects with export target s had already had export sales to regional 
markets in Africa and to overseas markets in the United States, Europe and Asia. 
 
• The diverse range of almost 50 export products included organic spices (vanilla, ginger, 
paprika, chili peppers), specialty fruits a nd vegetables (organic mangoes, snow peas, 
dried pineapple), rock lobster, Nile perc h, packaged ethnic foods, ostrich skins
 and wet 
blue hides, citronella and black teas, speci alty and fair trade coffee, essential oils, 
textiles (reeled silk, dye-tie and embroidere d clothing, and other finished products), 
decorative ceramics, and solar hearing aids. 
 
• Export revenues of ADF-assisted enterprises totaled US$33.8 million, an almost 60 per 
cent increase over the previous year. 
 
• ADF concluded two new strategic partners hips with African governments, which 
leverage matching contributions for ADF-f unded T&I projects. The highlight was a 
US$5 million annual commitment from the government of Ghana to grow small, indigenous-owned businesses and involve them in the global market. 
 
31. ADF's T&I program helps launch smaller-scale A frican enterprises and agricultural producers 
into the global economy by: 
• Identifying and promoting the production of high-value, non-traditional crops that are 
in demand in world markets;  
 
• Supporting the development of African-own ed value-added processes so that more 
revenue remains at the level of the producers or with local enterprises; 
 
• Providing producers with the technical assist ance, training, and technology to enable 
them to meet international quantity requirements and quality standards; 
 
• Forging supply chain opportunities for small producers;  and 
 
• Assisting small businesses in establishing trading partnerships
 with international 
buyers. 
 IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
Page 14  
 
  32. In FY2005, ADF funded T&I projects across a range of sectors, including agriculture and 
food processing, aquaculture, mineral extraction, pr inting, handicrafts, furn iture construction, and 
transportation.  After only a year, a number of these  are already demonstrating substantial growth in 
outputs and revenue.  Moreover, T&I projects funded in previous years continue to perform well, 
demonstrating a commitment by African small-scal e enterprises to meet est ablished business targets 
and the demands of international markets.  Of equa l importance is the impact that these enterprises are 
able to have on their communities, in terms of job creation and increased incomes and, in some cases, 
shared ownership among employees. 
33. ADF operated in 15 sub-Saharan African nations during FY2005:  Benin, Botswana, 
Cape Verde, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Namibia, Niger,  Nigeria, Rwanda, Senega l, Swaziland, Tanzania, 
Uganda, and Zambia.  Of these, Rwanda and Za mbia represent new country programmes established 
in FY2005. 
III. TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE 
DEVELOPMENT 
34. A number of US Government agencies have b een working to assist developing and least 
developed countries in their efforts to improve in frastructure in the transportation, communications, 
and energy sectors. 
A. T
RANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT  
2. Department of Transportation 
35. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) plays an important role in maintaining the 
strong, interconnected global transportation system vital for economic growth in the United States and 
abroad.  DOT is engaged in a wide range of activ ities designed to enhance the transportation capacity 
and infrastructure of sub-Saharan African countries. 
36. DOT's Safe Skies for Africa (SSFA) programme continues to enhance aviation safety, air 
navigation, and capacity building on the continent of Africa. In the last several years, the SSFA 
programme has provided funding, training, and equipment – including over US$5 million of US-
manufactured baggage and screening devices – to help SSFA programme countries to meet the 
requirements of the post 9/11 aviatio n security environment.  This effort enhances safety and security 
for the United States as well as for the SSFA countries.   In July 2005, Cape Verde's national air 
carrier commenced regularly scheduled flights to the United States as a result of receiving technical 
assistance under the SSFA program, as well as meeting FAA category 1 safety status.  Also in 2005, the FAA's Office of Airport Safety and Standard s and the USDA's Office of Wildlife Services 
conducted wildlife hazard assessments and provided wildlife hazard training for 105 airport personnel 
in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.  These sessions were  also developed into training videos that were 
distributed to all other SSFA countries.  All Sa fe Skies activities are intended to increase US-Africa 
air traffic and assist African countries in taking a dvantage of AGOA and support from the MCC.  For 
more information on SSFA, visit the programme's  website at http://www.intl.faa.gov/safeskies.cfm 
37. The following is a sampling of other 2005 DOT activities and technical assistance for sub-
Saharan African countries: 
South Africa:   The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration conducted 
inspections of applicants under the DOT programme for approval of foreign cylinder manufacturers in Pietermaritzburg (Durban), South Africa.   IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Nigeria:   DOT continues to support the Nigerian Ministry of Transportation as it works to 
improve its transportation system.  In 2005, DOT completed the second phase assessments of 
the western and eastern lines of the Nigeria Rail System and provided recommendations to the Nigerian Ministry of Transportation. 
Botswana:   The Federal Highway Administration (FHW A) traveled to Botswana to facilitate 
a training session on low-volume road management.  FHWA officials also met with Botswana 
officials to discuss FHWA's Technology Transfer (T2) Center and map out work for FY2006 on the Botswana-New Mexico Twinning re lationship.  A second training session was 
conducted in South Africa in conjunction with the Southern Africa T2 Conference.  FHWA 
presented a paper discussing opportunities for FHWA  and others to share technology transfer 
methodologies at the second Africa Technology Transfer Conference. 
B. US
 TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY  
38. USTDA's work in sub-Saharan Africa includes projects in the rail, port and aviation sectors. 
The following is a sampling of USTDA projects in the transport sector: 
Namibia TransKalahari Corridor, Walvis Bay Airport, and Port Development:   USTDA 
has funded three priority infrastructure projects related to trade.  The first is the early project 
development of the TransKalahari Corridor, an intermodal port-rail-road project that connects 
Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.  Th e second is the upgrading of the Walvis Bay 
Airport to allow for more efficient transportation of goods into and out of Namibia.  The third 
is a port development and expansion project for the Ports of Walvis Bay and Luderitz. 
Sao Tome Deepwater Port:  This US$475,990 USTDA-funded feasibility study will support 
the establishment of a deepwater port on the isla nd of Sao Tome in Sao Tome & Principe. The 
new port facility would decrease transportation co sts for the country's exports and imports as 
well as provide onshore support capacity for offs hore oilfield development. Africa Regional 
Smart and Secure Tradelanes Pilot: USTDA is  co-funding a US$1,324,900 smart and secure 
logistics chain pilot project and feasibility st udy to enhance the trade capacity and supply 
chain security of the Southern African Cust oms Union.  The grant was provided to the 
Namibian Ports Authority to examine trans portation security technologies along both land-
based and seagoing trade lanes connecting Walvis Bay, Namibia;  Cape Town, South Africa;  
and the United States. 
GNSS Project for the East Africa Community:  USTDA provided US$199,960 in technical 
assistance to the East African Community (EAC) in support of the implementation of  Global 
Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Sa tellite System (GNSS) procedures.  The EAC 
Secretariat is the grantee for this study, worki ng with the Civil Aviation Authorities of Kenya, 
Tanzania, and Uganda.  This project is a join t initiative between USTDA, the FAA, and DOT, 
and directly supports DOT's Safe Skies for Africa Initiative. 
Tanzania Airports Authority ICT Infrastructure:   This US$371,750 grant provides 
funding for an ICT infrastructure study for th e Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA).  The 
purpose of the study is to allow the TAA to fo rmulate a precise strategy for its ongoing ICT 
upgrades and prepare it to begin procurement in several priority areas.  The study will also 
look at options for financing and for the TAA to  structure parts of its strategy to finance 
through public-private structures in part nership with other airport stakeholders. IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
Page 16  
 
  C. C
OMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT  
1. Digital Freedom Initiative 
39. The Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI) is a five-year programme organized by the Departments 
of Commerce and State, USAID, USA Freedom Corps,  and the Peace Corps.  The goal of DFI is to 
promote economic growth by transferring the bene fits of information and communication technology 
to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the developi ng world.  DFI leverages the leadership of the 
US Government, the creativity and resources of America's leading companies, and the vision and energy of entrepreneurs throughout the developing world. Key elements of the DFI are:  (1) placing volunteers in small businesses to share business knowledge and technology expertise;  (2) promoting pro-growth regulatory and legal structures to enha nce business competitiveness;  and (3) leveraging 
existing technology and communications infrastructure in new ways to help entrepreneurs and small 
businesses better compete in both the regional and global market place. 
40. To expand the lessons and impact of th e DFI program, USAID, the International 
Development Research Center, and the University of  Western Cape in South Africa have formed a 
community of practice to develop custom software  solutions and information technology systems.  
The partner agencies involved with the DFI would en ter into a new programme, in which each brings 
its competencies to bear on a key development ch allenge facing Informati on Technology (IT) sectors 
in Africa around software engineering and IT systems deployment that spans more than 13 
universities in over 10 countries. 
2. USAID Leland Initiative 
41. The USAID Leland Initiative and the Federa l Communications Commission (FCC) have 
continued collaboration to strengthen telecomm unications policy and build African regulatory 
capacity.  The programme strengthens associations of African regulators;  uses experts from the FCC and state level regulatory bodies to help US and A frican university programs on effective regulation;  
and provides technical assistance to regulators in more  than 20 countries. In the past year, this effort 
has provided direct assistance to six countries.  Th e programme has also provided technical assistance 
for regional efforts to promote communicati ons market integration in West Africa. 
42. The Leland Initiative's NetTel@Africa programme  is an African-led network for capacity 
building and knowledge exchange in the African te lecommunications sector.  It has four primary 
components:  training, a knowledge exchange ne twork, a community-to-community service, and 
research.  In partnership with seven African uni versities, the NetTel@Africa program has developed 
ten learning modules for regulators.  The course content is delivered both on-line and by a professor at 
participating African universities.  Several US uni versities have also made significant contributions. 
In partnership with Cheik Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal, NetTel is adapting its content to 
French language courses focused on delivery across West  Africa.  NetTel recently incorporated and 
USAID is working with other donors to facilitate the transition from development program to a new 
partner institution in Africa. 
43. The Leland Initiative is managing and implementing the USAID Administrator's Last Mile 
Initiative, which in the last year saw the begi nning of program activities spanning eight African 
countries.  The Initiative seeks to prove business and technology strategies for expanding rural 
telecommunications access.  Existing Last Mile program s are starting to show results.  In Nigeria, the 
government is moving forward on making the Univ ersal Service Fund operational, and the public-
private company NetPost opened its first rural te lecom and postal office.  An American trade 
association, the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), provided key 
support to achieve these results.  The NTCA is also providing key assistance to the government of Ethiopia, which recently licensed the first commun ity telecommunications cooperative in the country,  IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
 Page 17 
 
 
  which is a milestone in moving towards liberali zation of value-added services and promoting viable 
small business models for rural access.  In the comi ng year the Last Mile Initiative is expected to 
move forward in at least three additional countries. 
D. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT  
1. Department of Energy 
44. The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to  work with sub-Saha ran African countries, 
both bilaterally and multilaterally, to promote e nhanced energy security and expanded trade and 
investment, including through policy consultations , capacity building activities, and technology 
demonstrations.  Cooperation encompasses all segme nts of the energy supply chain and emphasizes 
increased use of advanced and energy efficient tec hnologies and enhanced transparency to attract and 
maintain foreign direct investment. 
45. In May 2005, in partnership with two other International Energy Agency (IEA) country 
members (the United Kingdom and Portugal), DOE co-sponsored an in-depth energy programme 
review of Angola.  The IEA report focused on reco mmendations that would f acilitate the development 
of an Angolan national energy strategy, whic h would promote expanded energy infrastructure 
development and domestic energy use, support ec onomic and social development, and enhance 
transparency in the energy sector.  
46. DOE continues to represent the United States on the steering committee of the World Bank's 
Global Gas Flaring Reduction Initiative (GGFR), a leveraged, multi-year, multimillion-dollar public-
private partnership.  The GGFR provides assistance on the elimination of the flaring of associated gas 
from oil exploration and production.  The GGFR ha s developed a baseline methodology for projects 
that could be conducted under the Clean Developm ent Mechanism.  The participating sub-Saharan 
countries are Angola, Cameroon, and Nigeria. 
47. DOE and the State Department co-chair a Geot hermal Energy Working Group in support of 
an initiative to promote the development of 1,000 me gawatts of geothermal power in East Africa and 
to create significant economic and social developm ent opportunities through human capacity building 
while addressing barriers and risk to geothermal infrastructure development.  In addition to 
advocating for development of the project with the international financial donor community, the 
Working Group has sponsored or facilitated training for Ethiopian, Kenyan, and Djiboutian officials. 
In December 2005, DOE provided the Government of Djibouti with the Heatmap Econometric Model 
(developed in part with DOE funding) and provided  hands-on training.  The model is capable of 
quantifying the physical characteristics of an energy resource and determining the financial 
sustainability of the proposed energy systems. 
2. US Agency for International Development 
48. Increased availability of low cost, environmenta lly friendly electricity is critical to economic 
development and trade with West Africa. In  FY2005, USAID's West Africa Regional Program 
continued to provide support to the West Afri ca Power Pool (WAPP), an industry organization 
created by electrical utilities in the region with the goal of increasing investment in the sector.  The 
WAPP entered a new phase of its development with th e approval in principle by the Energy Ministers 
of the ECOWAS States at the end of October 2005 of the Articles of Agre ement for a Power Pool 
organization.  Also in FY2005, construction began on the West Africa Gas Pipeline by a consortium of US and West African companies. The pipeline will be commissioned early in 2007. USAID's investment in the pipeline helped regulator s and governments create the enabling environment 
allowing for this US$615 million investment that will br ing low cost fuel to power plants in Benin, 
Ghana, and Togo. IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
Page 18  
 
  49. USAID also provides technical assistance to th e Southern, West, and Central Africa Power 
Pools.  The objective of this support is to increase access to reliable, affordable electricity through 
economically based, cross-border energy trading, wh ile also building the capacity of the continent's 
electricity utilities to deliver essential se rvices in a commercially viable manner. 
50. In Zambia, USAID assisted the Rural Electrification Authority in developing a Rural 
Electrification Master Plan, which prioritizes rural electrification sites by their potential to increase 
economic growth. 
51. In Bangladesh, USAID's most significant contribution to the energy sector (US$210 million 
to date) is in rural electrification.  Working w ith the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association 
(NRECA), USAID pioneered the Rural Electrification Program. It now brings electricity to more than 
40 million people across rural Bangladesh.  This prog ramme helped establish the Rural Electrification 
Board as a semi-autonomous agency under the G overnment of Bangladesh.  Rural electric 
cooperatives deliver the services. 
3. USAID's South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/Energy): 
52. USAID's SARI/Energy programme focuses on re gional approaches to meet South Asia's 
energy security needs through increased trade, i nvestment and access to clean energy. SARI/Energy 
countries include:  Afghanistan, Pakistan, India,  Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the 
Maldives.  Over the past five years, SARI/Energ y has been directly responsible for a number of 
critically important regional energy milestones, including: 
• Demonstrated that Bangladesh could genera te an additional US$1 billion in increased 
economic activity if cross-border grid  and pipeline interconnections were 
implemented.  A recent South Asia Regi onal Energy Coalition (SAREC) business and 
media roundtable in Dhaka focused on how Bangladesh can benefit from cross-border 
energy trade, such as Tata's proposed US$2 billion power project investment in Bangladesh that is modeled on SARI/Energ y's Bangladesh-India power export study. 
 
• Trained scores of professionals, supporte d policy development, and developed 
investment tools leading to the:  (1) creation of energy service companies in Nepal;  
(2) implementation of energy-saving de mand-side management programs by Nepal 
Electricity Authority (NEA);  and (3) establishment of a self-sustaining energy efficiency fund in Sri Lanka.  
 
• Provided micro-venture funding for innovativ e technical and policy initiatives that 
promote cross-border collaboration between  NGOs, academics, and think tanks on 
energy sector reform and cooperation issues.  Noteworthy energy cooperation 
initiatives include alternative energy syst ems (hydropower and biomass), distribution 
loss reduction in rural electricity networks, electricity pricing, information technology-
based energy management, small wind systems, water-energy conservation, and standards for the micro-hydro sector. 
 
53. In Nepal, USAID supports technical assistan ce and training to: improve the enabling 
conditions for private investment in Nepal' s tremendous hydropower potential by setting up a 
streamlined legal and regulatory framework;  enc ourage good governance and much needed reform in 
the sector;  strengthen institutional capacity to addr ess environmental and social impacts; assist the 
Government of Nepal to implement a new hydropow er policy that promotes investment in both 
domestic and export markets;  and establish a Powe r Development Fund, with World Bank support, as 
a catalyst for energy investment.  IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
 Page 19 
 
 
  4. US Trade and Development Agency 
54. With energy shortages constraining growth , USTDA made a committed effort to support 
energy infrastructure development in sub-Sahara n Africa.  The following is a sampling of USTDA 
projects in the energy sector: 
(a) Madagascar Upstream Volobe Hydroelectric Power 
 USTDA provided a US$370,366 grant to partia lly fund a feasibility study to examine the 
technical and financial viability of building a la rge-scale hydropower project on the Upper Volobé 
River.  The project would supply energy for both domestic and industrial use.  Given the current 
energy needs of Madagascar, the project is consid ered to be a development priority. The project 
sponsor is the Malagasy Ministry of Energy and Mines. 
(b) Namibia Independent Power Plant (IPP)  and Investment Market Framework 
 This US$275,700 technical assistance grant to the electricity regulatory body of Namibia will 
focus on developing a formalized electricity mark et model that will facilitate investment by the 
private sector into Namibia's energy market.  Like  many members of the Southern Africa Power Pool, 
Namibia is preparing for 2007, when it is expected  that demand for electricity in the region will 
exceed supply. 
(c) Eastern Botswana Coal Bed Methane 
 USTDA is partially funding a feasibility stud y on behalf of the Botswana Development 
Corporation in the amount of US$525,000 for a coal  bed methane (CBM) project in eastern Botswana. 
The project is intended to capture and process CB M from coalfields in eastern Botswana to meet 
growing domestic and regional demand for a low-cost, clean and efficient fuel for power plants and 
feedstock for industrial processes. 
(d) Kenya Integrated Energy Management 
 USTDA awarded a US$341,670 grant to the Kenya Tea Development Agency Limited, to 
fund a feasibility study on a proposed integrated ener gy management project aimed at improving the 
efficiency and reliability of energy at a number of tea factories.  The proposal includes developing 
mini-hydroelectric power stations, increasing ove rall energy efficiency, and securing a supply of 
biomass fuel for boilers.  In addition to lowering ener gy costs, it is expected that this approach will 
provide Kenyan tea producers with a more reliable primary energy source and reduce energy waste through equipment upgrades a nd better operating practices. 
(e) Nigeria Natural Gas-Fired IPP 
 USTDA awarded a US$353,000 grant to Owel Hold ings Limited, a privately-held Nigerian 
company, for a feasibility study on the development of  a natural gas-fired independent power plant in 
Nigeria.  The grant helps to advance key market  reform and environmenta l protection policies in 
Nigeria related to commercial liberalization and the cessation of natural gas flaring.  The proposed power plant is expected to supply 120 megawatts of electricity to the national electrical grid system 
and will provide electricity for up to 200,000 homes. IP/C/W/480/Add.6 
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  (f) Ethiopia Tendaho Geothermal Project 
 USTDA is providing a US$277,788 grant to  fund a feasibility study for the Tendaho 
Geothermal Site Project.  The grant will allow the Ethiopia Electric Power Corporation to assess the 
development of a 2-5 megawatt pilot geothermal plan t at Tendaho, which in turn could lead to the 
construction of a 30 megawatt plant at that site. 
(g) Mozambique Lurio River Hydropower Project 
 USTDA is providing US$597,960 for a feasibility study to examine the viability of 
developing two hydropower projects along the Lurio River.  The objective of the study is to lay the groundwork for a private investor or a public-private partnership to develop the project in the future. 
The study also includes a rural electrification component. 
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