In the East Africa region, trade and investment barriers hinder economic integration and rapid population growth, including a growing youth population, complicate efforts to reduce poverty. Economic growth is constrained by poor infrastructure, unreliable power, low agricultural productivity, poor governance, and lack of market competitiveness.
In response, USAID supports East African countries to address these limiting factors. We partner with East African leaders across all levels of the government, the public and private sectors, community organizations, and the civil society to build a stable, prosperous, and self-reliant East Africa region. We often partner with the private sector, working across many sectors, to use their innovations to increase trade, access reliable power, attract investments, create jobs, and increase food security.
The U.S. government aims to facilitate private sector growth through two-way trade with the United States. We collaborate with regional government institutions to harmonize policies and regulations. This standardization stimulates the movement of goods, services, people, and money. Stimulating economic growth in East Africa enhances growth opportunities in the U.S. A stable, prosperous region also reduces migration and decreases violent extremism.