Ivanka Trump, President Donald Trump’s daughter, and the acting head of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), David Bohigian, have announced that the U.S. government agency plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in businesses that empower women in Africa.
Speaking in Ethiopia, a statement from OPIC says the “2X Africa” initiative aims to mobilize $1 billion and directly invest $350 million in companies and funds “owned by women, led by women,” or by “providing a good or service that intentionally empowers women on the continent.”
Later in the day, Ivanka Trump met with President Sahle-Work Zewde. They discussed a need for reform in Africa that would lead to improved opportunity and inclusivity for women.
Ivanka held discussions on women’s empowerment with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, commending him for increasing the number of women in leadership positions in his government. Mr. Bohigian also signed a “letter of interest” with an Ethiopian company called Muya to help support the company through OPIC financing. Muya was the first Ethiopian company to obtain membership in the World Fair Trade Organization. It is owned by fashion designer Sara Abera, its products are mainly household products.
