Government of Belize and Millennium Challenge Corporation Forge $125 Million Partnership

The Government of Belize and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) have formalised a significant partnership, signing a five-year grant agreement valued at $125 million. The agreement, aimed at bolstering education and energy sectors in Belize, was signed by Prime Minister John Briceño on behalf of the Belizean government, with MCC’s CEO Alice Albright representing the U.S. agency.

The signing ceremony was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Belize, Michelle Kwan, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development & Investment, Christopher Coye.

The grant, part of the MCC’s broader mission to reduce global poverty through sustainable economic growth, will address key challenges in Belize’s education and energy sectors. The Belize Compact encompasses two major projects: the Education Project and the Energy Project, both set to be managed by the newly established Millennium Challenge Account-Belize (MCA-Belize Authority), a statutory body formed in August 2024. Implementation of these projects is slated to begin in 2025.

The Education Project aims to enhance postprimary education by improving teaching methods, expanding access to secondary education, and strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) framework to better align with labour market needs.

Meanwhile, the Energy Project focusses on reducing electricity costs through new power purchase agreements for renewable energy, modernising the electricity grid, and supporting policy reforms to optimise the use of cost-effective renewable energy.

The MCC, an independent U.S. government agency established in 2004, provides grants to support infrastructure and institutional reforms in countries meeting high standards for governance, anti-corruption, and democratic rights.