Trump, OPIC launch $1bn Africa women initiative

Ivanka

David Bohigian, Acting President and CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government’s development finance institution, and Ivanka Trump, Advisor to US President Donald Trump, have announced the launch of OPIC’s 2X Africa initiative to support investment in Africa women.

Through the initiative, OPIC aims to unlock the full economic potential of Africa women by catalyzing $1bn, directly investing $350m to businesses and funds owned by women, led by women, or providing a good or service that intentionally empowers women on the continent.

Launched under OPIC’s broader 2X Women’s Initiative, 2X Africa will advance the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative which is commited to empowering women globally.

“For women to succeed as entrepreneurs and job creators we must ensure they have equal access to the financing necessary to start and grow their businesses," said Ivanka Trump. "In furtherance of this goal, it’s my honor to announce a new landmark initiative within W-GDP, 2X Africa, to directly invest capital into supporting women-owned, women-led, and women-supporting projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

“The launch of 2X Africa underscores OPIC’s recognition of the critical role that women play in tackling Africa’s most pressing development challenges,” said Bohigian. “By strengthening our focus on the women of Africa, OPIC will foster prosperity and stability in the region, and support the Administration’s important efforts to advance global women’s economic empowerment through W-GDP.”

OPIC’s 2X Women’s Initiative aims to harness the multi-trillion dollar opportunity women represent by catalyzing investment in projects that support the world’s women.

One year since its launch, OPIC in March announced that it had surpassed the initiative’s initial target to mobilize $1bn to the world’s women.