Tech in Africa
US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has unveiled a new initiative dubbed Health and Prosperity. This calls for all private-sector proposals targeting health-related investments in those countries.
The DFC will inject anywhere from $5 to $500 million per project using a varied set of investment tools. The package will include debt financing and equity, risk insurance, and other technical development. The DFC intends to mobilize private sector investments to shore up global health resilience.
Adam Boehler, DFC Chief Executive Officer, mentioned the importance of “resilient health systems” in fostering international ” global prosperity, stability, and security.” DFC also supports projects related to the ” COVID-19 pandemic response.” Investments will focus on supply chains, the capacity of health systems, distribution diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, among others.
Products that are eligible must contribute positively to the health systems, infrastructure development, clean water, nutrition, and water sanitation. Investments that complement other U.S. Government global health programs will be top of the priority list. Women can also be empowered through the agency’s 2X Women’s Initiative.
The new Health and Prosperity Initiative will support the US Government’s SAFER project which aims to create a collective Global Health Security Agenda. DFC will also invest in places where the agency has the authority to invest while zooming its focus on African countries facing health challenges. The window for application is now open for applicants. In response to COVID-19, the organization will work with new and existing clients to create solutions that bolster health services.
The DFC has an extensive group of partners including foundations, NGOs, U.S Government agencies, regional development banks as well as the private sector.
