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| Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman |
Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) spoke at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) session in Rome, Italy, where she highlighted the United States' commitment to supporting global infrastructure development and investment. She expressed gratitude to the Italian government for its focus on PGI and emphasized the importance of continuing efforts under the G7 partnership.
U.S. Focus on Global Infrastructure
Deputy Administrator Coleman commended the progress made over the past four years under the PGI initiative. She noted that the U.S. has mobilized several agencies, including USAID, the Department of State, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), to support infrastructure development in key regions. Coleman emphasized that the PGI initiative is designed to last and is expected to remain a G7 priority under future presidencies.
Key Infrastructure Corridors
The U.S. has supported three major economic corridors: Lobito in Southern Africa, Luzon in the Philippines, and the Trans-Caspian Corridor in Central Asia. These corridors aim to boost trade and investment in their regions. The European Union and Italy have signed agreements to develop the Lobito Corridor, and the U.S. is cooperating with the EU in Central Asia and Japan in the Luzon Corridor. These partnerships reflect the international collaboration that is central to the PGI initiative.
Challenges and Future Plans
Despite the progress, Deputy Administrator Coleman acknowledged that challenges remain, including a growing infrastructure financing gap, high debt levels in many African and Indo-Pacific nations, and global issues such as climate change and market instability. To address these challenges, the U.S. is increasing its efforts to provide sustainable and debt-free financing for infrastructure projects. In 2024, the U.S. approved a loan of over $550 million through the Development Finance Corporation to support the Lobito Atlantic Railroad rehabilitation, furthering efforts that began in 2022.
Additionally, USAID is working with Angola’s Ministry of Transportation to establish a public-private partnership unit that will help the government engage with private sector partners for infrastructure development. This partnership model aims to ensure long-term success and sustainable financing without increasing a country’s debt burden.
PGI’s Strategic Importance
Coleman highlighted the strategic importance of PGI's investments in agriculture, digital services, health, and other key sectors. She pointed out that the PGI approach focuses on meeting the needs of local communities and countries by supporting infrastructure that promotes trade, investment, and economic growth.
President Biden’s Historic Visit to Angola
Coleman also announced that President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Angola in December, making him the first sitting U.S. president to visit the country. The Lobito Corridor will be a key focus of his visit, showcasing the U.S. commitment to building infrastructure that promotes clean energy, digital finance, and economic opportunities for local communities.
G7 Collaboration
Coleman emphasized the importance of collaboration among G7 countries to meet the world’s growing infrastructure needs. She noted that the U.S. is committed to working with its G7 partners to ensure infrastructure projects are done right, with transparency, community involvement, and a focus on sustainable development.
Conclusion
Deputy Administrator Coleman concluded by reiterating the U.S. commitment to global infrastructure development through PGI. She emphasized that while significant progress has been made, the U.S. and its partners will continue working to meet the long-term infrastructure needs of developing countries.
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