The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board held its quarterly meeting on December 13 and selected Cabo Verde as newly eligible to develop a compact for the purpose of regional economic integration. The Board also selected Tanzania and the Philippines to develop threshold programs, which are smaller grant programs designed to support policy and institutional reforms that address economic growth constraints.
“The Board’s selection of Cabo Verde, the Philippines, and Tanzania advances MCC’s mission to forge strong partnerships with countries that have demonstrated a commitment to democratic governance, investing in their people, and economic freedom,” said MCC’s Chief Executive Officer Alice Albright. We look forward to building on prior partnerships and working hand in hand with each country to advance prosperity for their people.”
MCC’s Board selected former compact partner Cabo Verde as eligible to develop a regional compact in recognition of the country’s clear commitment to democratic governance and its significant development and poverty reduction challenges. With this new partnership, MCC will support Cabo Verde in generating economic growth through deeper integration with the West Africa region.
Newly threshold-eligible, the Philippines and Tanzania are both former MCC compact partners that continue to face pressing development needs in strategic regions of the world. In recent years, both the Philippines and Tanzania have demonstrated renewed commitments to advancing critical reforms to strengthen democratic governance, protect human rights, and fight corruption. In recognition of these efforts, MCC’s Board selected the Philippines and Tanzania to partner with MCC in the development of threshold programs that focus on the policy and institutional reforms countries can undertake to reduce poverty and generate economic growth.
As part of its annual discussion on country selection, MCC’s Board also reviewed the policy performance of previously selected eligible countries. In doing so, MCC’s Board reselected Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal to continue regional compact development; The Gambia, Togo, and Zambia to continue compact development; and Mauritania to continue developing a threshold program. The Board reaffirmed its support for continuing compact development in Belize. In addition, the Board reselected Sierra Leone as eligible to continue developing a compact in recognition of the progress made to advance the national dialogue process, begin implementation of the Agreement for National Unity, and establish the national election review committee. These actions constitute a critical beginning of an inclusive process to strengthen Sierra Leone’s democratic and electoral institutions following the June 2023 elections. In making its re-selection decision, the Board noted its expectation of continued progress toward meaningful electoral reform, as outlined in the Agreement for National Unity, prior to considering approval of the proposed compact.
Finally, MCC’s Board of Directors received an update on political developments in Niger and MCC’s progress in winding down the country’s bilateral compact, as well as updates on the status of the Connectivity and Coastal Resilience Compact in Mozambique following concerns over the flawed October 2023 municipal elections.
Find out more about MCC’s selection process on its Who We Select web page.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth. Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, fighting corruption and respecting democratic rights.
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