USAID Southern Africa was created in 1995 to promote sustainable growth in a democratic Southern Africa. It supports U.S. foreign policy priorities in Southern Africa to: 1) promote democratic government and good governance; 2) increase economic prosperity and security; 3) conserve the region's natural resource base; and 4) counter the spread of HIV/AIDS.

USAID achieves this through programs that strengthen regional institutions, advance regional integration, create jobs through increased trade, improve food security, strengthen the response to HIV/AIDS, promote electoral reform, and improve the management of shared natural resources.

USAID implements programs (to varying degrees) in the following countries of Southern Africa: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Organisation

USAID Southern Africa is headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa, and has a diverse workforce of about 120 individuals including U.S. Foreign Service Officers, as well as technical, management, and support staff throughout the region. The Deputy Director, Leslie Reed, devoted to overseeing all regional programs and service delivery.