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

Agency: U.S. Mission to Ethiopia

Assistance Listings: 19.040 -- Public Diplomacy Programs

Last Updated: May 13, 2026

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

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

  • Other

Additional information

See NOFO for additional details

Grantor contact information

Description

AddUSAUPDGrants@state.gov

Email

AddUSAUPDGrants@state.gov

AddUSAUPDGrants@state.gov

Documents

File nameDescriptionLast updated
2026_NOFO-_Strategic_commercial_engagement_for_U.S.AU_Trade_and_Investment.docx
NOFO
May 8, 2026 09:16 AM UTC
Applicant_Organization_Information_AOI_Survey.docx
Applicant organization information
May 8, 2026 09:18 AM UTC
PDS_Budget_Narrative_Sample_Template.xlsx
Budget Narrative
May 8, 2026 09:19 AM UTC
Proposal_Template.docx
Proposal Template
May 8, 2026 09:20 AM UTC

Link to additional information

Link to Opportunity in MyGrants

Closing: June 8, 2026

See NOFO for additional details

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$40,000

Program Funding

3

Expected awards

$5,000

Award Minimum

$25,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

OFOP0002726

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

No

Funding instrument type:

Grant

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

--

Category of Funding Activity:

Business and commerce

Category Explanation:

See NOFO for additional details

History

Version:

2

Posted date:

May 7, 2026

Archive date:

July 8, 2026

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