The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director Enoh Titilayo Ebong has concluded a weeklong visit to Nigeria that highlighted the Agency’s work to advance key priorities including the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.
U.S President Joe Biden had on February 21, 2021 appointed Nigerian-born Enoh Titilayo Ebong as the acting director of the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). On November 22, 2021, Ebong was appointed the substantive Director of the agency.
According to a statement from the agency’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, “U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong has concluded a weeklong visit to Nigeria that highlighted the Agency’s work to advance key priorities including the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.
“During the trip, Director Ebong announced new partnerships to expand healthcare infrastructure access in Nigeria and across Africa, including feasibility study grants to private Nigerian companies including Cedarcrest Hospitals Limited , Lily Hospitals Limited and Mobihealthcare Limited.
“In Abuja, Director Ebong participated in a Power Africa-hosted clean energy leaders roundtable with public and private sector organizations including the Energy Transition Office, the Rural Electrification Agency, Ikeja Electric Plc, Shyft Power, and the Nigeria Power Sector Program (NPSP).
“In Lagos, USTDA hosted a roundtable at Microsoft’s Africa Development Center with female industry executives and young career professionals who are shaping the country’s digital economy, from the Lagos Business School to private companies including MainOne, ipNX Nigeria Limited, Ekovolt Telco Limited, Intel, and others. Director Ebong also met with the Governor of Lagos State to advance USTDA’s support for the state’s clean energy transition and other infrastructure goals.
“While in Nigeria, Director Ebong visited the sites where current grantees, ipNX and Hotspot Network Limited, plan to build infrastructure that will provide digital access for millions of Nigerians, including those living in underserved rural communities.
“Director Ebong’s trip concluded with a visit to her alma mater, Corona School Victoria Island, where she shared insight with students on taking ownership of their learning and goals.”
“Nigeria and the United States have many shared economic and national security priorities, including climate resiliency, pandemic recovery, digital connectivity, and energy access for underserved populations,” said Director Ebong. “We must work together as equal partners and in collaboration with our private sectors in furtherance of these priorities. Our goal is to offer Nigeria a positive option for its infrastructure development and economic growth.”