WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2026 — The U.S. International Development Finance Corp. approved $500 million in trade financing on Wednesday to help U.S. companies expand into emerging markets across South America, Southeast Asia and Africa, according to Reuters.

Approved by the DFC board, the financing will provide counter-guarantees in partnership with the World Bank’s International Finance Corp. and its Global Trade Finance Program. “The goal is trying to expand the program and further grow U.S. exports,” DFC CEO Ben Black told Reuters.

Target Industries

The program is expected to facilitate exports across several U.S. industries, including agriculture, primary metals, industrial products and consumer goods. Potential exports include natural fibers, grains, soy and diversified edible crops, as well as iron and steel, Reuters reported.

Computers, electrical products, light vehicles and industrial machinery are also included in the program. The program will build relationships among local companies, foreign issuing banks, U.S. exporters and U.S. confirming banks to create additional opportunities for U.S. exports.

Small Business

The guarantees will help smaller banks and financial institutions in Central and South America, Southeast Asia and Africa finance purchases of U.S. goods. The program will begin with an initial list of banks in countries that have historically been active in importing U.S. goods, Reuters reported.

The financing could unlock up to $20 billion in U.S. exports to new and challenging markets and support up to 10,000 U.S. jobs, Black told Reuters. He identified Iowa, Ohio, Colorado, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Michigan as states that could see some of the biggest benefits from the program, Reuters reported.

Image credit: DFC

Trade Financing

Under Black’s leadership, DFC has expanded its investment cap to $205 billion and directed more of its work toward mining, extractive industries, energy and digital infrastructure, Reuters reported. The agency has pursued these sectors to counter China’s global influence and secure vital supply chains for the U.S.

Black said the IFC’s Global Trade Finance Program had funded $141 billion in trade over 20 years with zero losses. DFC will also earn fees on the loan guarantees, which could generate tens of millions of dollars over 10 years, according to Reuters.