DAKAR, July 18, 2018— The U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Principal Deputy Vice President (DVP) for Africa Kyeh Kim visited Senegal this week to advance progress on the development of an MCC grant, called a compact.
MCC Principal Deputy Vice President for Africa Kyeh Kim made the following statement on the visit:
“The Millennium Challenge Corporation is pleased to be in the final stages of developing the MCC compact with the Government of Senegal. Together with the Government, we have developed a strong compact proposal to increase economic growth and reduce poverty in Senegal that will strengthen the energy sector. Although there is still important work to be done before a compact between MCC and the Government of Senegal can be finalized and approved by MCC’s Board, based on our experience, we know we can continue to expect strong leadership, commitment, and action from the Government of Senegal as we work to finalize the compact. We appreciate the work and dedication shown by our Senegalese colleagues and we look forward to further discussions later this year.”
During the visit, DVP Kim met with President Macky Sall and senior Senegalese government officials to discuss Government reform commitments that will accompany the investment in Senegal.
MCC and representatives of the Government of Senegal will meet this fall to negotiate final legal and technical terms of the compact. Pending agreement, MCC plans to submit the agreed upon proposal to our Board of Directors later this year for approval.
By targeting challenges in the energy sector, MCC is partnering with the Government of Senegal to accomplish the core objectives of the Government’s Plan Senegal Emergent, including driving economic growth and progress and creating new opportunities for the Senegalese people. MCC is working with the Government of Senegal to tackle the country’s greatest economic challenges, and believes country ownership and data-driven decision-making are critical to sustainable development.
In September 2015, the Government of Senegal completed a first compact focused on the agriculture and transportation sectors. Later that year, MCC’s Board of Directors selected Senegal to develop a second compact after continued strong performance on MCC’s selection scorecard, indicating a clear commitment to consolidating democratic gains and institutionalizing positive policy reform. Funding from MCC comes in the form of a five-year grant.
The Government of Senegal established a project management unit to work with MCC on the compact, the Unite de Formulation et de Coordination du Second Programme MCA-Senegal (UFC). During the compact development process, MCC and UFC jointly identified Senegal’s greatest barriers to economic growth and developed a program specifically aimed at addressing them. Coordinated analyses help to determine compact activities most likely to contribute to sustainable economic growth that reduces poverty. Compact development has included a consultative process, engaging civil society and the private sector.
MCC is an independent U.S. government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth. Using a country-led approach that reflects a country’s own priorities, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to developing countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights. Working with local partners, MCC tackles some of the most pressing challenges that developing countries face, such as access to electricity, clean water, land rights, education, and roads.
Learn more about MCC at www.mcc.gov.
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The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. Government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth. Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to poor countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights. Learn more about MCC at www.mcc.gov.This press release was originally released by the U.S. Embassy in Dakar.