Ivanka Trump visited a woman-run business in Ethiopia on Sunday as she promotes a White House global economic program for women.
The United States President's daughter and senior adviser toured a coffee shop and a textile company in Addis Ababa. It was the first visit of the presidential daughter in Africa on a four-day trip to Ethiopia and Ivory Coast representing the White House project which is intended to empower 50 million women in developing countries by 2025.
Miss Trump took part in a traditional coffee ceremony, visited weavers, and announced new financial support for business in the aim of offering assistance and to learn the struggles of women in business. She said during an interview in Dumerso Coffee that Investing in women is smart development policy and it's smart business. She added that it's also in their security interest, because of women when they're empowered, foster peace and stability.
It is the first trip of Ivanka Trump to Africa following the launch of the Women's Global Development Prosperity Initiative, a program that she hopes will outlast his father's administration which is known for "America First" isolation.
Miss Trump gathered praises after he took part in the project and in making the trip. However, many believe that the effort of the daughter of the United States president is shadowed by his father's efforts of cutting international aid and his scandalous comments against Africa.
The president's daughter arrived in Ethiopia early Sunday boarding a flying commercial aircraft. Upon her arrival, Miss Trump visited the coffee shop followed by her trip to the textile and craft Muya. She was welcomed by dancers and she interacted with women seated at colorful looms. Ethiopia is the second highest in terms of population in the whole of Africa.
Miss Trump said that Ethiopia's success in Africa's success. She praised the quality of the coffee, the Ethiopian cotton, and the skills and the craftsmanship of the Ethiopian people. She is hopeful that Ethiopian products reach the global market.
During the trip, Miss Trump was accompanied by the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, Mark Green, and the acting president of the Overseas Private Investment Corp., David Bohigian. The Overseas Private Investment Corp. provides loans loan guarantees and political risk insurance, funding projects that stretch across continents and industries. The partnership of Miss Trump and OPIC to make a project geared at women was announced last year. Miss Trump announced a loan, to be issued by a local women-focused banked and backed by USAID, to build a coffee business owned by women.
