Washington, DC — The United States government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) today signed a grant agreement with the Government of Senegal to provide up to $13.39 million to support the country’s development of compact that will reduce poverty through economic growth.

This grant funding will be used for detailed designs for two irrigation projects, environmental and social assessment work for irrigation and road projects, the collection of data to monitor and evaluate activities, and implementation preparations for financial management and procurement.

In July 2008, the government of Senegal submitted concept papers to MCC for investments in road rehabilitation, irrigation and water resource management and judicial reform.  These projects would help farmers increase production of basic foods and commercial crops, provide improved access to markets, and stimulate local commerce and regional trade. MCC’s grant with the Government of Senegal does not constitute a commitment to sign a compact, but is an important milestone in MCC’s compact development process.

For more information on how MCC is working together with Senegal to reduce poverty through economic growth, please visit:  http://www.mcc.gov/countries/senegal/index.php.