Caterpillar investing in Africa to improve communities

Caterpillar Inc. and the Caterpillar Foundation announced Wednesday a $1 million investment in the first ever public private partnership with the U.S. State Department that will provide assistance to help women entrepreneurs launch and expand three women’s business centers in Africa.

In partnership with the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) and the Women’s Entrepreneurial Centers of Resources, Education, Access, and Training for Economic Empowerment (WECREATE) project, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Centers will advance gender equality and address entrepreneurship skill barriers faced by women living in poverty, according to Caterpillar Foundation President Michele Sullivan.

Caterpillar Vice President with responsibility for Global Government and Corporate Affairs Kathryn Karol and Sullivan spoke at the AWEP Business-to-Business Showcase during the U.S.-African Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. Wednesday.

“At the Caterpillar Foundation, we are focusing our investments to build sustainable, thriving communities around the world,” Karol said. “To that end, investing in women and girls is critical. If we invest in her, we help her sisters, brothers, her sons and daughters, her village and the world.”

The Caterpillar Foundation announced Monday a more than $11 million commitment to Africa through investments in the ONE Campaign, charity: water and the United Nations Foundation.

The AWEP targets women entrepreneurs to promote business growth, increase trade, create better business environments and empower African women entrepreneurs to become voices of change in their communities,according to their website.

Caterpillar Inc. supports the philanthropic efforts of the Caterpillar Foundation. Founded in 1952, the Caterpillar Foundation has contributed more than $550 million to help make sustainable progress possible around the world. The Caterpillar Foundation’s mission is to turn the spiral of poverty into a path to prosperity by investing in those proven to yield the best results – women and girls. We champion programs that support the environment, education and emergency relief. To learn more about the global impact of the Caterpillar Foundation, please visit www.caterpillar.com/foundation.