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What is WAIBL? West Africa International Business Linkages (WAIBL) is a USAID funded program to increase commercial partnerships between businesses in the US and West Africa. These relationships can take many forms including export/import agreements, joint ventures, and equity partnerships. WAIBL is active in 18 countries in West Africa: the 15 countries of ECOWAS as well as Cameroon, Chad, and Mauritania.

How can WAIBL assist your company:

For American companies:

• Identify trade and investment opportunities in West Africa.
• Assist in the identification of financing, including private and US government programs.
• Screen qualified African companies for business partnerships based on your criteria.
• Steer US companies to key West African government contacts and programs, and other sources of information for doing business in West Africa.

For African companies:

• Identify US partners, suppliers of equipment, technology, or services for West African businesses.
• Assist in the identification of financing, including private and US government programs.
• Screen qualified American companies for business partnerships based on your criteria.
• Direct African companies to key US government and private sector contacts, and other sources of information for doing business with the United States.
  

U.S.-Africa Business Forums: A key component of the WAIBL program is a series of business forums held in West Africa that bring together African and American business representatives to identify and initiate commercial partnerships.

WAIBL Results:

• The U.S. Export-Import Bank has approved 17 WAIBL transactions in Ghana, Mali, and Senegal valued at more than US$19.3 million.
• American companies have signed memorandums of understanding with West African governments and private companies in the housing and telecommunications sectors.
• Using the WAIBL program, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal have attracted American partners and investment for the textile, IT, and transportation sectors.
• More than 750 companies have participated in the WAIBL business forums in West Africa.

Information: Julie Wallace, WAIBL Program Manager ().
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WAIBL Brochure

The Corporate Council on Africa 1100 17th Street, N.W., Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 835-1115 Fax: (202) 835-1117 E-mail: