Japan, U.S. Cooperating to Help Africa
Washington - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have announced a partnership to promote investment and financing in the water sector across sub-Saharan Africa.
The partnership seeks to galvanize private investment and financing and strengthen institutional capacity in Africa to develop and sustain water programs. USAID and JICA are exploring short-term opportunities for collaboration in African countries that may lead to long-term investment, USAID said in a press release.
"The partnership represents an important milestone in USAID-JICA relations," said USAID Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg. "USAID's unique experience in water and sanitation will complement JICA's commitment to create a multimillion-dollar Africa Water Investment Fund."
The statement of intent signed by the two development agencies establishes principles of cooperation for the continentwide effort.
"JICA and USAID share a commitment to improving access to sustainable and affordable water services in Africa," said Shigeru Kiyama, JICA senior special adviser. "JICA is making a commitment to increased equity investment and public-private partnerships in Africa's water sector."
The partnership builds on the existing relationship between USAID and JICA to stimulate private investment and institutional reform in the water sector, including joint work in the Philippines and Vietnam.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)
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