| West Africa Trade Hub (WATH) |
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Since 2003, the USAID West Africa Trade Hub has been both a prominent and behind-the-scenes player in igniting and encouraging economic growth in one of the world's poorest regions. Partnering with firms, financial institutions, civil society, governments, donors and entrepreneurs, the Hub acts as an honest broker of deals, policy recommendations and organizational changes leading to real and sustainable reductions in poverty. Working in 21 countries, the Hub laid the groundwork for $191 million in exports, $53 million in investment, and 10,000 direct jobs. Its multiplier effect study showed sales generated by new exports have generated several hundred million dollars of additional household income across the region. Two major industry alliances born of Trade Hub leadership—the African Cashew Alliance and the Global Shea Alliance—are the region’s leading enterprise coalitions for these industries, while the Borderless Alliance addresses the region’s most pressing economic development issues: high transport costs, limited access to finance, and uneven implementation of trade policy. The Hub also works closely with regional governments, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) to progress toward region-wide tariff reduction and harmonization.
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