Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0019410
The U.S.-Africa Strategic Investment Program is a U.S. Department of State initiative, run through the Bureau of African Affairs, that aims to advance U.S. national interests by encouraging private sector-led, market-based economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The program is built around the idea that stronger, more transparent investment environments and commercially viable projects can attract more high-quality foreign investment, especially from U.S. and U.S.-aligned companies, while also supporting sustainable economic growth in partner countries. Rather than focusing on traditional aid delivery, the opportunity emphasizes competitive, transparent processes and practical solutions that improve the conditions for investment and trade.
The grant focuses on two strategic areas. The first is Critical Minerals Investment, which broadly centers on enabling responsible investment and deal flow connected to minerals that are important for modern supply chains and industrial needs. In practice, projects in this lane would be expected to help unlock investment by improving the underlying commercial and governance conditions that investors care about, such as clarity of rules, predictable processes, transparency, and bankable project pipelines. The second area is Commercial Diplomacy Acceleration, which targets efforts that make it easier for companies to enter and operate in sub-Saharan African markets by reducing friction in cross-border business, strengthening commercial engagement mechanisms, and accelerating opportunities where U.S. firms can compete and participate. Across both focus areas, the program is looking for initiatives that translate into tangible commercial outcomes, not just dialogue or planning.
A central requirement is that proposed projects show clear, measurable benefits for one or more sub-Saharan African countries. The notice specifically points to outcomes like increased investment from high-quality U.S. and U.S.-aligned companies, which signals that applicants should be prepared to define what "success" looks like in concrete terms and how it will be measured. Strong applications will likely connect activities to real market outcomes, such as improved investment readiness, increased deal-making, stronger investor confidence, or demonstrable growth in commercial engagement. Applicants are also encouraged to explain how their work will create the conditions for U.S. commercial participation, meaning the program favors proposals that not only support local growth but also open credible pathways for U.S. companies to participate competitively.
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement or collaboration by the U.S. government during implementation compared with a standard grant. The funding opportunity number is DFOP0019410, and it is categorized under Business and Commerce (CFDA 19.989). The anticipated scale is significant: the award ceiling is up to $50,000,000, with an expected total of around 10 awards, suggesting a relatively selective competition aimed at larger, high-impact projects or consortia that can operate across countries or at a regional level.
Eligibility is broad and includes nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and other eligible entities, with public international organizations also explicitly noted as eligible. Because the program is designed to mobilize private sector investment and deliver market-based outcomes, this wide eligibility pool is consistent with encouraging implementers that can work closely with industry, investors, and government counterparts. The application deadline listed is May 27, 2027, and applicants are directed to consult the APS for full eligibility details and any additional requirements, expectations, or selection criteria that are not captured in the short summary.Apply for DFOP0019410
- The Bureau of African Affairs in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S.-Africa Strategic Investment Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.989.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-05-27.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): U.S.-Africa Strategic Investment Program
What is the U.S.-Africa Strategic Investment Program?
The U.S.-Africa Strategic Investment Program is a U.S. Department of State initiative, implemented through the Bureau of African Affairs, designed to advance U.S. national interests by encouraging private sector-led, market-based economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The program emphasizes stronger, more transparent investment environments and commercially viable projects that can attract high-quality foreign investment, particularly from U.S. and U.S.-aligned companies.
How is this program different from traditional foreign assistance or aid programs?
Based on the summary provided, the program is not centered on traditional aid delivery. Instead, it emphasizes competitive and transparent processes and practical solutions that improve conditions for investment and trade, with a strong focus on tangible commercial outcomes rather than dialogue-only activities or plans that do not translate into market results.
What are the main focus areas (strategic areas) of the grant?
The grant focuses on two strategic areas: (1) Critical Minerals Investment and (2) Commercial Diplomacy Acceleration. Proposals should align with at least one of these areas and be designed to produce measurable commercial outcomes.
What types of projects fit under the Critical Minerals Investment focus area?
Projects under Critical Minerals Investment are expected to enable responsible investment and strengthen deal flow related to minerals important for modern supply chains and industrial needs. In practice, this includes work that helps unlock investment by improving commercial and governance conditions that investors care about, such as clearer rules, predictable processes, transparency, and creating more bankable project pipelines.
What types of projects fit under the Commercial Diplomacy Acceleration focus area?
Commercial Diplomacy Acceleration targets efforts that make it easier for companies to enter and operate in sub-Saharan African markets. This includes reducing friction in cross-border business, strengthening commercial engagement mechanisms, and accelerating opportunities where U.S. firms can compete and participate.
What does the program mean by "tangible commercial outcomes"?
The summary indicates the program is looking for initiatives that translate into real commercial results, not only dialogue, convenings, or planning. Examples of tangible outcomes mentioned or implied include improved investment readiness, increased deal-making, stronger investor confidence, demonstrable growth in commercial engagement, and increased investment from high-quality U.S. and U.S.-aligned companies.
Do proposed projects need to benefit specific countries?
Yes. A central requirement is that proposed projects show clear, measurable benefits for one or more sub-Saharan African countries.
Is the program limited to a single country, or can projects be regional?
The summary suggests the program anticipates larger, high-impact projects or consortia that can operate across countries or at a regional level, given the award size and the expected number of awards.
Is attracting U.S. investment a required outcome?
The notice specifically points to outcomes like increased investment from high-quality U.S. and U.S.-aligned companies. Applicants should be prepared to define success in concrete terms, including how outcomes related to increased investment and commercial participation will be measured.
What does "U.S.-aligned companies" mean in this opportunity?
The summary references "high-quality U.S. and U.S.-aligned companies" but does not define the term. Applicants are directed to consult the APS for full details and any definitions or requirements not included in the short summary.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement.
What is a cooperative agreement, and how does it affect implementation?
The summary notes that a cooperative agreement typically implies substantial involvement or collaboration by the U.S. government during implementation, compared with a standard grant.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0019410.
What is the program category and CFDA number?
The opportunity is categorized under Business and Commerce, with CFDA 19.989.
How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is up to $50,000,000.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The summary indicates an expected total of around 10 awards, suggesting a relatively selective competition.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and other eligible entities. Public international organizations are also explicitly noted as eligible.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
The eligibility description states that nonprofits are eligible excluding institutions of higher education. For complete eligibility rules and any exceptions, applicants are directed to consult the APS.
Can for-profit companies and small businesses apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profits, are listed as eligible.
Are public international organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Public international organizations are explicitly noted as eligible in the summary.
What kinds of applicants are likely to be competitive?
Based on the summary, competitive applicants will likely be those able to deliver measurable, market-based outcomes that improve investment and trade conditions, demonstrate benefits to sub-Saharan African countries, and credibly create conditions for U.S. commercial participation. The expected award size and limited number of awards suggest larger, high-impact projects and potentially consortia may be well-positioned.
Does the program prioritize planning and convenings?
The summary suggests the opposite: the opportunity emphasizes outcomes that translate into tangible commercial results rather than activities that remain at the level of dialogue or planning.
What does "improving the conditions for investment and trade" mean in this context?
The summary highlights factors such as clarity of rules, predictable processes, transparency, and bankable project pipelines, along with efforts that reduce friction in cross-border business and strengthen mechanisms for commercial engagement.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline listed is May 27, 2027.
Where can applicants find the full requirements and selection criteria?
Applicants are directed to consult the APS for full eligibility details and any additional requirements, expectations, or selection criteria not captured in the short summary.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Business and Commerce
Previous opportunity: Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes – Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DFOP0019410
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DFOP0019410) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| SBA WBC Modernization Initiative FY26 - Georgia Apply for SB OEDWB 26 003 Funding Number: SB OEDWB 26 003 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $766,218 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DFOP0019410", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.