2020Year in Review
2020 has been a year like no other. A global pandemic has reinforced the need for our investments, and throughout it all, our staff around the world and in D.C. have continued our mission: reducing global poverty through economic growth. From priorities with purpose and major milestones, to our continued commitment to transparency, take a look at MCC in a year like no other.
Priorities with Purpose
Women’s Economic Empowerment
MCC’s programs have always supported Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), and as a proud W-GDP partner, we took a bold, new step by adding WEE to our investment criteria to ensure this priority is included in every MCC program development.
MCC CEO Sean Cairncross joined Advisor Ivanka Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and other White House and U.S. Government agency leaders to celebrate the first anniversary of the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative at the Department of State.
- MCC reached 13,945women this year
- 9,986women participated in an MCC program this year designed to increase economic access
- 3,959women participated in an MCC workforce training program this year
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MCC’s Georgia II Compact: Driving Compact Sustainability One Year After Closeout
One year following the successful completion of MCC’s Georgia Compact II, the partnership between MCC and the Government of Georgia continues to build momentum.
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Climate Resilient Agriculture Grants in Niger Empower Women-Managed Enterprises
As part of the compact between MCC and the Government of Niger, $2.3 million in grants were awarded to producer/processor groups and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, including women and youth groups.
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MCC Boosts Education and Training for El Salvador’s Next Generation
The compact invests in the country's people through new and rehabilitated schools as well as improvements to the education system and skills development courses.
Blended Finance
To advance MCC’s commitment to blended finance and catalyze private investment, we adopted new investment criteria to ensure blended finance is promoted from the beginning of program development. We also launched two new blended finance initiatives: the American Catalyst Facility for Development with the U.S. International Development Finance Cooperation, and the Millennium Impact for Infrastructure Accelerator with Africa50.
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Announcement of ACFD with DFC
MCC created a new blended finance mechanism with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the American Catalyst Facility for Development (ACFD). This formal platform will optimize collaboration between MCC and DFC for coordinated, strategic investments
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Announcement of Partnership with Africa50
MCC and Africa50 signed an MOU to launch the Millennium Impact for Infrastructure Accelerator (MIIA) Development Partnership. The new MIIA entity is a global blended finance investment platform designed to spur and attract impact investments in Africa that will cover projects across sectors such as water, health, education, transportation, power, and telecommunications.
Regional Investments
MCC understands regional integration with our compact programs can take our work to the next level, creating new opportunities for achieving larger-scale reductions in poverty. People, goods, and services move across borders—and so should MCC’s investments.
MCC CEO Sean Cairncross and MCC Regional Team Lead Mahmoud Bah joined the Center for Global Development for a virtual event on MCC’s regional compact development progress.
Grace Ghambi’s Story
“The future for women and girls in my country seems very bright!” Grace Ghambi shows us how efforts to empower women economically can have far-reaching benefits.
Read Grace’s storyMarking Milestones
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January 23, 2020
MCC Celebrates 16 Years
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February 27, 2020
A Fireside Chat with Secretary Rice
In February, MCC CEO Sean Cairncross joined former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution in California for a moderated discussion on MCC’s unique model and bold approach to international development over the past 16 years.
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May 28, 2020
Interactive Map of U.S. Business Partners
MCC created an interactive map that highlights the U.S. businesses the agency works with and shows how MCC creates opportunities for U.S. businesses and the private sector, supporting sustainability and creating jobs.
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June 24, 2020
Aid Transparency Index Rating
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August 13, 2020
MCC Signs Compact with Burkina Faso to Improve Energy Sector, Reduce Poverty
In August, MCC and the Government of Burkina Faso signed a $450 million compact agreement—the agency’s second with Burkina Faso — to develop and improve access to reliable power in the country.
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August 18, 2020
Speakers Bureau Relaunched
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September 9, 2020
El Salvador Investment Compact Closes
On September 9, MCC marked its 14-year partnership with the Government of El Salvador through the conclusion of its second compact with the country.
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October 16, 2020
Water Kiosks in Sierra Leone
MCC’s CEO, along with Sierra Leone’s Vice President Jalloh, led a U.S. delegation to a ribbon cutting ceremony in Freetown for one of 11 MCC-funded water kiosks. These kiosks will provide access to safe water for surrounding communities.
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November 3, 2020
RN7 Niger Road
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December 15, 2020
Board announced new partners for 2021
Zakara Abdourahamane’s Story
“We, the truckdrivers, are the biggest beneficiaries of the rehabilitation of this section of road.” Zakara Abdourahamane highlights how Nigeriens will benefit from the rehabilitation of the commercially-vital RN7 road, including through time saved and fewer engine repairs.
Read Zakara’s storyCommitment to Transparency
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Year of WASH
Discover the flood of evidence and learning MCC is releasing in 2020 from our work in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
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MCC’s Contribution to the U.S.’s Global COVID-19 Response
Discover how MCC's programs are improving health outcomes in our partner countries and how our model will promote post-pandemic economic revitalization.
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Evaluation Briefs
This year, MCC released 84 Evaluation Briefs, a technically rigorous, but user-friendly summary report on key findings from its investments. These reports distill lessons in an accessible way while also pointing to MCC’s publicly available information about our investments.
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Star Reports
MCC published two Star Reports in 2020. The Star Report provides a comprehensive and accessible assessment of MCC’s investments in a given country, builds on MCC’s longstanding commitment to results and accountability, and is a go-to resource for policymakers, think-tanks, NGOs, and businesses alike.
Ismène Ahamide Zounmenou’s Story
“I hope for an electricity sector with sustainable growth.” Ismène is an entrepreneur and part of the small minority of female business owners specializing in renewable energy products in Benin. Only one-third of Benin’s population has access to electricity.
Read Ismène’s story