WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah will travel to Abuja, Nigeria, May 6-9 to attend the 24th World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, “Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs.” WEF will bring together more than 1,000 leaders from across politics, business, and civil society, including 11 African heads of state and government, to focus on development and economic opportunity throughout Africa. Administrator Shah’s participation in WEF events will focus on strengthening food security, ensuring greater access to reliable energy, and raising awareness on the U.S. Government’s effort to support peace and bring an end to violence in South Sudan.

Administrator Shah and USAID are playing a leading role to drive success and results on Feed the Future and Power Africa, President Obama’s priority initiatives to reduce hunger and double access to energy on the African continent, respectively.

For most of the world, electricity allows businesses to flourish, clinics to store vaccines, and students to study long after dark. But for more than two-thirds of the population of Sub-Saharan Africa, these opportunities simply do not exist. Power Africa encourages countries to make energy sector reforms while connecting entrepreneurs to investment opportunities that are created by those reforms.

Feed the Future targets investments in countries that have demonstrated a commitment to their own agricultural development. The initiative is helping 7 million farmers around the world apply new technologies and practices that are increasing production, driving profits, and enhancing the nutritional content of food for millions.

For more information about Shah’s trip to WEF, please contact USAIDPressOfficers@usaid.gov or @USAIDPress.