WASHINGTON, May 7, 2024 – President George W. Bush joined Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) CEO Alice Albright for a 20th anniversary tribute dinner in Dallas, Monday, to celebrate the agency’s fulfillment of his global development vision and to launch the Malawi Transport and Land Compact.
President Bush sought to revolutionize foreign aid, and in 2004 MCC was created to promote economic growth and the elimination of extreme poverty. Twenty years later, 47 countries have partnered with MCC to deliver nearly $17 billion in infrastructure and reform – creating environments that are more attractive to industry and making life more equitable, safe, and prosperous for over 380 million people.
“We are tremendously grateful to President Bush for laying the foundation for MCC’s unique development model, and to Congress for enabling MCC to make it happen,” CEO Albright said. “It is through his continued support that the Millennium Challenge Corporation has successfully incentivized policy and institutional reform, fostered opportunity, growth and stability, and established lasting relationships around the world.”
Monday, heads of state from current and former MCC partner countries gathered with Congressional, policy, and thought leaders at the George W. Bush Institute for MCC’s 20th Anniversary Partners for Prosperity tribute dinner to honor Bush for establishing the agency and to celebrate MCC’s exceptional impact. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield praised MCC’s effect on emerging democracies.
“Across the world there are bright spots – people standing up against repression, corruption, inequality and for integrity, dignity and opportunity; people protesting and demanding change, lifting their voices for democracy,” Greenfield said in her remarks. “We’re here tonight to celebrate an initiative that has been a catalyst for, and enabler of these bright spots – MCC.”
President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani discussed the opportunity, prosperity, equity and empowerment MCC has fostered in her country and around the world during a roundtable conversation with former US. Senator and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns.
“Today, after partnering up with MCC, Kosovo is proud to be the strongest democracy in our region, is proud to be the biggest rule of law reformer in Europe and second in the world and is proud to have the highest economic growth in the entire western Balkans in the past three years,” Osmani said.
The evening concluded with the launch of the $350 million Malawi Transport and Land Compact which aims to reduce transport costs by upgrading more than 300 kilometers of roads to connect farmers to markets and by strengthening the country’s land administration.
“During the period that it has been in existence, MCC has fostered economic growth and reduced poverty in many countries including my own,” President of Malawi Lazarus Chakwera said. “Since 2004 MCC has been a steadfast friend of Malawi in our journey toward inclusive economic advancement. In fact, Malawi was one of the first beneficiaries and we are grateful for the continued impact.”
MCC's tribute dinner occurred on the sidelines of the Corporate Council on Africa's 2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit, taking place this week in Dallas. Albright is a member of the U.S. delegation, which will speak with African governments and the private sector about trade, investment, and business opportunities. Since its founding, MCC has invested more than $10 billion to reduce poverty through economic growth in 24 African countries and currently has $3 billion in active programs on the continent. MCC will participate in the following U.S.-Africa Business Summit events in an effort to build stronger economic and commercial ties with Africa:
Presidential Plenary – Celebrating 20 Years of MCC in Africa
WHEN: 9 a.m. (CST), Tuesday, May 7, 2024
WHERE: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, 3rd floor, Plenary Hall D, 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas
WHO: MCC CEO Alice Albright, President of Cabo Verde José Maria Neves, President of Malawi Lazarus Chakwera, and President of Liberia Joseph Boakai
U.S. Delegation Press Conference
WHEN: 1 p.m. (CST), Tuesday, May 7, 2024
WHERE: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, 2nd floor, Hall D, Room D221, 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas
WHO: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, MCC CEO Alice Albright and the U.S. Delegation
Corporate Council on Africa High-Level Dialogue: Strategic Infrastructure
WHEN: 2 p.m. (CST), Tuesday, May 7, 2024
WHERE: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, 3rd floor, Plenary Hall D, 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas
WHO: MCC CEO Alice Albright
Women’s Economic Empowerment: Catalyst for Impactful U.S. - Africa Trade Investment and Business
WHEN: 9 a.m. (CST), Wednesday, May 8, 2024
WHERE: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, 3rd floor, Plenary Hall D, 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas
WHO: Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho Nthomeng Majara, MCC DCEO Chidi Blyden, and Coca-Cola Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Karyn Harrington
The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. government development agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth. Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants that pair investments in infrastructure with policy and institutional reforms to countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, fighting corruption and respecting democratic rights.
###