Press Release
U.S.'s African Development Foundation’s President Visits Tanzania
December 17, 2008
Mr. Lloyd Pierson, President of the United States' African Development Foundation (USADF) traveled throughout Tanzania December 11-13, 2008, touring several USADF grantee projects.
The African Development Foundation is a United States Government agency dedicated to expanding access to economic opportunity in Africa. USADF currently operates in twenty African nations. Over the past 25 years, USADF has funded nearly 1,500 projects representing in excess of $150 million in support of African enterprises and local African communities. USADF launched programs in Tanzania beginning in 1986. The USADF currently supports 27 investment projects in Tanzania, totaling Tsh6.2 billion in committed funding.
During his stay in Tanzania, Mr. Pierson visited the USADF supported Sero Business Women’s Association (SEBA). This Kinondoni-based micro-finance organization has utilized a Tsh200 million grant from the American people, through USDAF, to provide skills training and small business loans to more than 2000 women and small business.
Mr. Pierson also visited Marvelous Flotea Company, a small enterprise that manufacturers tie dye and batik home textile products; Foot Loose Limited, a company that produces decorative home décor; the Tanzanian Organic Certification Association, which provides organic certification for more than 7,500 farmers throughout Tanzania; and, Natureripe Kilimanjaro Limited, a small enterprise that produces high quality mangos and cashews. Each of these groups was able to greatly expand their operations thanks to USADF grants from the American people that ranged from Tsh100 million to Tsh325 million.
U.S. President George W. Bush has said, “Africa's most valuable resource is not its oil, it's not its diamonds, it is the talent and creativity of its people. So we are partnering with African leaders to empower their people to lift up their nations and write a new chapter in their history.”
The United States is Tanzania's largest bilateral donor. In fiscal year 2008, the American people, through U.S. government agencies like the USADF, provided over $662 million (approximately Tsh750 billion) in bilateral and multilateral assistance to Tanzania.
To learn more, please visit us at http://tanzania.usembassy.gov. For more information on USADF, its programs and application guidelines, visit www.usadf.gov.