ABUJA, NIGERIA - (August 21, 2002) Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) and the Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Council (AIIPC) entered into a grant agreement to partially fund a feasibility study on the development of a fertilizer complex in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, that will use flared gas as its feedstock. U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Howard Jeter signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government. Mr. Andy Inyang, President of AIIPC, signed on behalf of AIIPC. Under the agreement, TDA will provide a $450,000 grant to AIIPC to contract with TDC Energy Overseas Limited, LLC of New Orleans, Louisiana, to evaluate the technical, financial, economic, and environmental aspects of building the fertilizer complex.

The grant represents a commitment by the United States and Nigeria to expand investment in Nigeria's critical agricultural economy. By expanding the production of domestically manufactured fertilizer, the fertilizer complex will provide local farmers with better access to the fertilizer they need for their crops and will lead to larger and better quality crop yields. Moreover, the fertilizer complex will reduce the amount of green house gases that are released into the atmosphere through the flaring of associated gas.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promotes American private sector participation in developing and middle-income countries, with special emphasis on economic sectors that represent significant U.S. export potential. By funding various forms of technical assistance, training grants, feasibility studies, orientation visits, and business workshops, TDA helps American businesses compete for infrastructure projects in emerging markets. In addition, the agency promotes capacity building initiatives and supports U.S. government trade, economic policy and development objectives around the world. Since reopening its program in Nigeria in late 2000, TDA has provided over $2 million in funding to various infrastructure projects in that country. Working together with the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, and with strong development partners in Nigeria, TDA is actively seeking to support growth in Nigeria's private sector and crucial industries.

Back to Press Releases