Washington, D.C. -- Today at the White House, Commerce Secretary Don Evans, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Andrew S. Natsios, USA Freedom Corps Director John Bridgeland and Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez launched the Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI). The goal of the DFI is to promote economic growth by transferring the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the developing world. The DFI will be piloted in Senegal, a democratic secular country in which 94 percent of the population is Muslim.

“The Digital Freedom Initiative is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished when several branches of the U.S. Government and leading American companies join forces to help long-time friends like Senegal,” said Administrator Natsios.

The approach is bold and innovative, leveraging the leadership of the U.S. Government, the creativity and resources of America’s leading companies, and the vision and energy of entrepreneurs in developing countries. If the pilot project is successful, it could be rolled out to 20 countries in the next five years.

“This is true partnership, combining the best of the public and private sector and reflecting the Bush Administration’s commitment to Senegal and to Africa, its people, and its development,” concluded Natsios.

Key Elements include:

• Placing volunteers in small businesses to share business knowledge and technology expertise;

• Promoting pro-growth regulatory and legal structures to enhance business competitiveness; and

• Leveraging existing technology and communications infrastructure in new ways to help entrepreneurs and small businesses better compete in both the regional and global marketplace.

###