Strategic commercial engagement for U.S.–AU Trade and Investment
Agency: U.S. Mission to Ethiopia
Assistance Listings: 19.040 -- Public Diplomacy Programs
Description
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
Grantor contact information
Description
AddUSAUPDGrants@state.gov
Documents
| File name | Description | Last 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
Closing: June 8, 2026
See NOFO for additional details
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:
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
