United States African Development Foundation

03/07/2025

🚨 USADF Updates

Yesterday, Peter Marocco and several DOGE officials, who we believe are not authorized to represent the Agency, entered USADF’s offices, accompanied by U.S. Marshals. In response, President & CEO Ward Brehm filed a federal lawsuit to protect the Agency. A judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to remove P/CEO Brehm, with a court hearing scheduled for March 11.

You can read more in the Washington Post article linked below.

Additionally, USADF’s X (formerly Twitter) account was taken down yesterday, raising serious concerns. USADF is fully complying with its statutory obligations and remains committed to upholding the law, with the expectation that our staff will be treated with dignity and respect.

The show of force by Trump administration officials and federal law enforcement resulted in a frantic and “traumatizing” scene, several officials of the aid agency said, and sparked a lawsuit from its leader.

01/22/2025

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01/15/2025

We kicked off the year with a heartfelt celebration, honoring Ellen Teel, one of USADF’s longest-serving team members, as she retires after 25 years of remarkable service.

Ellen, your dedication, cheerful spirit, and unwavering passion towards our mission of empowering communities across Africa have been truly inspiring. Thank you for leaving a lasting legacy at USADF. 🌍

We wish you all the best in this exciting next chapter—you will be dearly missed!

12/18/2024

During a site visit to Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society, P/CEO Travis Adkins engaged with CEO and General Manager Anthony Waweru and their wonderful team of rice farmers. Established in 1964, the farming cooperative supports its members by providing agricultural inputs, training, extension services, and value addition through rice milling and repurposing byproducts for animal feed. 🌾

In FY23, USADF awarded Mwea a $234K grant to enhance rice production, processing, and marketing. With this funding, the cooperative is renovating facilities, acquiring modern milling equipment and combine harvesters, and delivering essential training. These investments are increasing processing capacity, improving farming practices, and expanding market access, boosting incomes and livelihoods for its farmers. 🇰🇪

12/17/2024

USADF conducted a site visit to Apiculture Venture Limited (AVL), a grantee supporting smallholder farmers in Tana River County, Kenya. With an initial $50K grant award in FY23 through our partnership with Stanbic Bank Kenya, AVL equipped 250 smallholder apiarists—primarily women and youth—with Langstroth hives, protective gear, honey extractors, and modern beekeeping training. 🐝

In FY24, AVL was awarded an additional $99K USADF grant to further boost honey production by providing more equipment, beekeeper kits, and comprehensive training in apiary management and honey harvesting. This initiative empowers farmers to increase incomes, improve livelihoods, and promote environmental sustainability while meeting the growing demand for high-quality honey and beehive products in Kenya. 📈🇰🇪

12/12/2024

Ljos Company Limited, established in 2014, specializes in designing, assembling, and maintaining solar-powered devices for households and businesses in Kenya. As an FY’24 USADF Off-Grid Energy grant recipient, Ljos was awarded $227K to expand its local assembly and manufacturing of solar-powered devices using sourced components from Africa. 🌍

During a USADF site visit, Ljos CEO Leonard D’Cunha and the team shared insights into their operations and manufacturing process. With USADF funding supporting component procurement, solar PV module purchases, product distribution, and operational costs, Ljos is working to enhance energy access and boost incomes for underserved households and businesses across Nairobi and beyond. 🇹🇿

12/11/2024

We recently participated in a grant signing ceremony for the U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund Program in Kenya, a partnership between USADF and the U.S. Embassy to support grassroots development. Four grants totaling $26,000 were awarded to community-based organizations promoting sustainability, skill development, and economic empowerment. 🇰🇪

Sunrise Self Help Group and Fountain of Hope received funding to promote eco-friendly waste management and sustainable animal feed production. Daraja Kenya Initiative will offer culinary skills training, enhancing employability and sustainable practices for women and girls. Tuiyogaa Ngeny Women Group will expand animal feed production, boosting local incomes and job opportunities.

This partnership underscores USADF’s commitment to strategic collaboration and fostering local solutions that drive sustainable economic growth and improve livelihoods in underserved communities. We look forward to seeing the transformative impact of these initiatives! 📈

12/10/2024

Last week, USADF P/CEO Travis Adkins had the pleasure of meeting with our valued partners at the Stanbic Kenya Foundation (SKF), including Stanbic Bank Kenya CEO Joshua Oigara and SKF Executive Director Pauline Mbayah, to reaffirm our shared commitment to supporting Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya. 🇰🇪

Since 2020, this partnership has provided $2 million in grant funding to empower entrepreneurs in manufacturing, agriculture, health, trade, and other services, equipping them to access future financing opportunities.

With four grant cohorts completed, awarding $25K–$50K to 42 Kenyan enterprises, and plans for cohort 5 underway, we are excited to continue fostering economic growth and creating for Kenyan entrepreneurs! 📈

12/09/2024

Happy Independence Day, Tanzania! 🇹🇿

Over the past decade, USADF has proudly invested over $8.1 million in grants and technical support, benefiting 95 enterprises and impacting more than 1.5 million Tanzanians.

These efforts have enhanced livelihoods, supported enterprise growth, and created employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth in sectors like coffee, horticulture, cereals, edible oil, and rural renewable energy. 📈💡

We look forward to continued progress as we support resilient enterprises and foster inclusive economic growth in Tanzania’s transformative rural communities.

Happy Independence Day, Tanzania! Uhuru na Kazi!

12/03/2024

12/03/2024

Congratulations to and on the launch of the ORÍKÌ Wellness Hub, Africa’s first co-working space designed exclusively for wellness entrepreneurs!

Located in the heart of Surulere, Lagos, the ORÍKÌ Wellness Hub offers aspiring wellness professionals state-of-the-art facilities, private spa rooms, and a supportive environment to grow their businesses. Supported by USADF and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (), this groundbreaking initiative fosters innovation, collaboration, and growth in the wellness industry, exemplifying the spirit of entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

Cheers to ORÍKÌ Group’s continued success in reshaping the wellness landscape in Africa. Together, we’re creating pathways to prosperity! 📈

11/28/2024

Happy Independence Day to the people of Mauritania, Bonne Fête de l’indépendance au peuple mauritanien ! 🇲🇷

Depuis 2008, l’USADF est fière de maintenir des opérations en Mauritanie, en se concentrant sur les énergies renouvelables, l’agriculture, la recherche industrielle et l’entreprenariat. Au cours des 10 dernières années, nous sommes fiers d’avoir investi plus de 4,3 millions de dollars, créant ainsi des emplois, générant de l’auto-emploi et promouvant le développement social et économique pour le peuple mauritanien.

Ensemble, nous créons des voies vers la prospérité, les opportunités et la croissance partagée.