East African countries continue to face health challenges including large numbers of maternal and child deaths and the adverse effects of infectious diseases. Each country faces challenges within their health system that hinder governments’ capacity to meet the needs of its most vulnerable people.
Despite great strides in economic growth and increased women in leadership in the region, significant gender gaps remain. Women face systematic financial, educational, legal, structural, and cultural barriers. These barriers prevent women from reaching their full potential and fully contributing to their countries’ economies. We design initiatives to help women access economic resources, such as, assets, credit, income, and employment. USAID also create spaces for women’s voices to be heard.
East Africa’s remarkable biodiversity and natural resources fuel national economies and improve the lives of local communities. Yet, many people are unaware of its positive impact or of the steps they could take to conserve and protect their natural capital.
East Africa is endowed with a wealth of biodiversity and natural resources, including some of the most spectacular wildlife and ecosystems in the world. When managed effectively and equitably, these vast yet fragile lands, water and wildlife resources – or natural capital – can contribute significantly to national and regional economies and improve the lives of local communities. East Africa's tourism industry, which is almost entirely dependent on wildlife and protected areas, contributes 7.5-10 percent of GDP to the region, and it is a major driver of job creation.
As the responsibility for leadership passes to the next generation, Africa’s future and its global competitiveness will be driven by academically gifted and entrepreneurial young people empowered to lead. USAID is providing state of the art education to millions of Kenyan children, expanding educational and employment opportunities for young adults, and preparing a new generation of young African leaders with the skills and mindset to transform the region and the continent.
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Last updated: September 28, 2020
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