Millennium Challenge Corporation selects Gambia for new threshold program
At its quarterly meeting, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board of Directors has selected The Gambia for a threshold program – MCC’s smaller grant program focused on policy and institutional reform.
“I am pleased to announce new partnerships with Gambia through MCC’s threshold program,” MCC Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Nash said. “MCC investments promote economic growth and reduce poverty, creating more stable, secure countries with new business opportunities abroad.”
MCC works to improve lives and transform communities around the world by focusing on one mission: reducing poverty through economic growth. The agency provides time-limited grants and assistance to developing countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights.
As part of the annual selection process, the Board also reselected Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia, enabling the development of compacts in those countries to continue.
In addition, the Board reselected Lesotho after a two-year hiatus, recognizing Lesotho’s concrete steps over the past year that demonstrate a commitment to addressing MCC’s ongoing rule of law concerns. While the decision will allow Lesotho to restart the development of its second compact, the Board noted that it will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground.
The selection of The Gambia will give MCC the opportunity to engage with the country on needed reforms as the country continues its democratic transition. The Gambia is an important partner in West Africa, where MCC already has a strong presence.
With regard to Togo, the Board is encouraged by the possibility of inclusive dialogue as a way to resolve the current political impasse, and will continue to monitor developments on the ground before making a decision about the proposed threshold program.
