Drawing on its continent-wide experience, USAID has developed a number of Africa regional activities to supplement bilateral programs. These activities are designed to:

1. provide assistance in a more cost-effective way by maximizing economies of scale;
2. support, strengthen and accelerate African development and certain sub-regional African institutions that cannot be supported through bilateral programs; and
3. respond quickly to new development challenges and crises.
   ›Complete information on USAID/ Africa Regional Programs

USAID maintains three regional program offices in Africa:

West Africa Regional Program

WARP has just completed its initial year of operation. The program, which is managed out of Bamako, covers strategic objectives that deal with developmental obstacles that can be most effectively addressed through actions taken at a regional level in partnership with the leading sub-regional organizations. They include economic integration, health (with a focus on HIV/AIDS prevention), food security and conflict prevention. WARP's objectives are therefore intended to:

1. support regional economic integration through (a) improved sub-regional trade and investment policies, and (b) increased capacity of West African institutions to provide a reliable and affordable supply of electrical energy;
2. increase the sustainable use of services and products in the area of HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, maternal health and child survival;
3. ensure food security and effective natural resources management by supporting the policies and programs of WARP's regional partners (both public and private sector); and
4. support the development and implementation of conflict prevention programs by regional organizations and civil society groups.
   ›WARP Budget Justification

Regional Economic Development Services Office for East and Southern Africa (REDSO/ESA)

As a regional mission, REDSO/ESA supports other USAID missions in east and southern Africa with technical, legal, financial management, food assistance and procurement services. In addition, REDSO/ESA implements a regional assistance program. REDSO/ESA also assists in the management of USAID's large P.L. 480 emergency and non-emergency food assistance programs in 14 countries in East and Southern Africa. The USAID humanitarian assistance office manages substantial emergency programs in the region that are coordinated with bilateral programs in each country as well as with the REDSO/ESA regional program. USAID/Washington programs in population, health and nutrition play an important supporting role in providing technical assistance and training for regional African institutions. They also support regional training workshops to address logistics management systems needed for HIV/AIDS commodities.
›REDSO/ESA Budget Justification

The Initiative for Southern Africa (ISA)

The Initiative for Southern Africa is USAID's regional development program covering southern Africa. It is managed from the agency's Regional Center for Southern Africa in Gaborone, Botswana, and is distinct from USAID's bilateral country programs in the region. The Initiative for Southern Africa includes activities that address:

1. establishment and strengthening of democratic practices and norms;
2. expansion of trade and investment;
3. improvement in management of shared wildlife and natural resources; and
4. agricultural development through technological changes in farming practices and increased trade in farm products.

These objectives build the capacity of regional institutions; harmonize policies in the trade, customs, agriculture, environment, and democracy sectors; increase the participation of the private sector in development; and generate employment and income growth. USAID will use FY 2002 funds to implement ongoing regional programs in democracy, trade, agriculture and natural resources management.
›ISA Budget Justification