Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-110
§9621 Authorities Relating to Provision of Support
Title 22 › CHAPTER 103 — BETTER UTILIZATION OF INVESTMENTS LEADING TO DEVELOPMENT › SUBCHAPTER II — AUTHORITIES › § 9621
Summary
The law lets the Corporation support development projects in ways that follow U.S. policy and the Corporation’s goals, reduce taxpayer risk by sharing costs with private and qualifying government partners, and bring in private money that would not otherwise be used. The Corporation may make loans and guarantees on terms it chooses. Those can be in U.S. dollars or foreign currency, but foreign-currency deals need a clear policy reason. Loans and guarantees follow the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990. The Corporation can take minority equity stakes or similar investments, set rules to make sure those investments have clear development and foreign-policy purposes, and must show they address market failures, enable projects that would otherwise not happen, help local markets and jobs, fit commercial incentives, and support long-term development. For any single project the Corporation’s equity support cannot exceed 40 percent of total equity, and total equity exposure cannot exceed 35 percent of the Corporation’s overall exposure on the day support is provided. The Corporation must try to sell or exit investments as soon as it is commercially reasonable and make a project-specific timetable. A special Equity Investment Account in the Treasury may receive up to $5,000,000,000 for fiscal years 2026–2031; earnings and sales proceeds are kept in the fund without yearly limits. At least 25 percent of obligations from those funds must score in the top 20 percent on the Impact Quotient system. The Corporation may also provide insurance or reinsurance against political risks such as currency controls, expropriation, war, terrorism, civil unrest, breach of contract, or unpaid obligations. It can pay for feasibility studies, training, and project planning to attract private investment, and should require cost-sharing and repayment if a funded study leads to a project. The Corporation can run special programs, offer post-investment technical help, or create companies if the Board reviews them and the CEO notifies Congress at least 30 days before with a certification that the action meets urgent national security needs and cannot be done otherwise. After consulting relevant agencies, the Corporation may set up enterprise funds to boost private-sector growth, support small businesses, attract investment, and produce social benefits; no more than 3 percent per year of fund money can pay administrative costs. Enterprise fund boards are appointed by the President, must be mostly U.S. citizens with relevant experience, must report annually and undergo audits, and must return any remaining money to the Treasury. An enterprise fund’s authority ends 10 years after its first spending or when it is wound down. Support under this law is subject to required oversight, and the Corporation must work to increase U.S. small-business and minority- and women-owned business participation and include related data in its annual congressional report.
Full Legal Text
Title 22, §9621
Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In general
The authorities in this subchapter shall only be exercised to—
(1)carry out of the policy of the United States in section 9611 of this title and the purpose of the Corporation in section 9612 of this title;
(2)mitigate risks to United States taxpayers by sharing risks with the private sector and qualifying sovereign entities through co-financing and structuring of tools; and
(3)ensure that support provided under this subchapter is additional to private sector resources by mobilizing private capital that would otherwise not be deployed without such support.
(b)Lending and guaranties
(1)In general
The Corporation may make loans or guaranties upon such terms and conditions as the Corporation may determine.
(2)Denomination
Loans and guaranties issued under paragraph (1) may be denominated and repayable in United States dollars or foreign currencies. Foreign currency denominated loans and guaranties should only be provided if the Board determines there is a substantive policy rationale for such loans and guaranties.
(3)Applicability of Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990
Loans and guaranties issued under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
(c)Equity investments
(1)In general
The Corporation may, as a minority investor, support projects with funds or use other mechanisms for the purpose of purchasing, and may make and fund commitments to purchase, invest in, make pledges in respect of, or otherwise acquire, equity or quasi-equity securities or shares or financial interests of any entity, including as a limited partner or other investor in investment funds, upon such terms and conditions as the Corporation may determine.
(2)Denomination
Support provided under paragraph (1) may be denominated and repayable in United States dollars or foreign currency. Foreign currency denominated support provided by paragraph (1) should only be provided if the Board determines there is a substantive policy rationale for such support.
(3)Guidelines and criteria
The Corporation shall develop guidelines and criteria to require that the use of the authority provided by paragraph (1) with respect to a project has a clearly defined development and foreign policy purpose, taking into account the following objectives:
(A)The support for the project would be more likely than not to substantially reduce or overcome the effect of an identified market failure in the country in which the project is carried out.
(B)The project would not have proceeded or would have been substantially delayed without the support.
(C)The support would meaningfully contribute to transforming local conditions to promote the development of markets, localized workforces, and partner country economic security.
(D)The support can be shown to be aligned with commercial partner incentives.
(E)The support can be shown to have significant developmental impact and will contribute to long-term commercial sustainability.
(F)The support furthers the policy of the United States described in section 9611 of this title.
(4)Limitations on equity investments
(A)Per project limit
The aggregate amount of support provided under this subsection with respect to any project shall not exceed 40 percent of the aggregate amount of all equity investment made to the project at the time that the Corporation approves support of the project.
(B)Total limit
Support provided pursuant to this subsection shall be limited to not more than 35 percent of the Corporation’s aggregate exposure on the date that such support is provided.
(5)Sales and liquidation of position
The Corporation shall seek to sell and liquidate any support for a project provided under this subsection as soon as commercially feasible, commensurate with other similar investors in the project and taking into consideration the national security interests of the United States.
(6)Timetable
The Corporation shall create a project-specific timetable for support provided under paragraph (1).
(7)Corporate equity investment account
(A)Establishment
There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the “Development Finance Corporate Equity Investment Account” (referred to in this division as the “Equity Investment Account”), which shall be administered by the Corporation as a revolving account to carry out the purposes of this section.
(B)Purpose
The Corporation shall—
(i)manage the Equity Investment Account in ways that demonstrate a commitment to pursuing catalytic investments in less developed countries in accordance with section 9612(c)(1) of this title and paragraph (1); and
(ii)collect data and information about the use of the Equity Investment Account to inform the Corporation’s record of returns on investments and reevaluation of equity investment subsidy rates prior to the termination of the authorities provided under this subchapter.
(C)Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Equity Investment Account $5,000,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
(D)Offsetting collections and funds
Earnings and proceeds from the sale or redemption of, and fees, credits, and other collections from, the equity investments of the Corporation under the Equity Investment Account shall be retained and deposited into the Fund and shall remain available to carry out this subsection without fiscal year limitation without further appropriation.
(E)Impact quotient
The Corporation shall ensure that at least 25 percent of its obligations from funds authorized to be appropriated under subparagraph (C) or otherwise made available for the Fund for Corporation projects are rated in the upper 20 percent on the Impact Quotient tier system, or any similar or successor assessment tool, developed pursuant to section 9652(b)(1) of this title.
(d)Insurance and reinsurance
The Corporation may issue insurance or reinsurance, upon such terms and conditions as the Corporation may determine, to private sector entities and qualifying sovereign entities assuring protection of their investments in whole or in part against any or all political risks such as currency inconvertibility and transfer restrictions, expropriation, war, terrorism, civil disturbance, breach of contract, or nonhonoring of financial obligations.
(e)Promotion of and support for private investment opportunities
(1)In general
In order to carry out the purpose of the Corporation described in section 9612(b) of this title, the Corporation may initiate and support, through financial participation, incentive grant, or otherwise, and on such terms and conditions as the Corporation may determine, feasibility studies for the planning, development, and management of, and procurement for, potential bilateral and multilateral development projects eligible for support under this subchapter, including training activities undertaken in connection with such projects, for the purpose of promoting investment in such projects and the identification, assessment, surveying, and promotion of private investment opportunities, utilizing wherever feasible and effective, the facilities of private investors.
(2)Contributions to costs
The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent practicable, require any person receiving funds under the authorities of this subsection to—
(A)share the costs of feasibility studies and other project planning services funded under this subsection; and
(B)reimburse the Corporation those funds provided under this section, if the person succeeds in project implementation.
(f)Special projects and programs
The Corporation may administer and manage special projects and programs in support of specific transactions undertaken by the Corporation—
(1)for the provision of post-investment technical assistance for existing projects of the Corporation, including programs of financial and advisory support that provide private technical, professional, or managerial assistance in the development of human resources, skills, technology, or capital savings; or
(2)subject to the nondelegable review and approval of the Board, by creating companies, corporations, and partnerships that advance both the development objectives and foreign policy interests outlined in the purpose of this division if, not later than 30 days prior to entering into an agreement or other arrangement to provide support pursuant to this section, the Chief Executive Officer—
(A)notifies the appropriate congressional committees; and
(B)includes in the notification required by subparagraph (A) a certification that such support—
(i)is designed to meet an exigent need that is critical to the national security interests of the United States; and
(ii)could not otherwise be secured utilizing the authorities under this section.
(g)Enterprise funds
(1)In general
The Corporation may, following consultation with the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, and the heads of other relevant departments or agencies, establish and operate enterprise funds in accordance with this subsection.
(2)Private character of funds
Nothing in this section shall be construed to make an enterprise fund an agency or establishment of the United States Government, or to make the officers, employees, or members of the Board of Directors of an enterprise fund officers or employees of the United States for purposes of title 5.
(3)Purposes for which support may be provided
The Corporation, subject to the approval of the Board, may designate private, nonprofit organizations as eligible to receive support under this subchapter for the following purposes:
(A)To promote development of economic freedom and private sectors, including small- and medium-sized enterprises and joint ventures with the United States and host country participants.
(B)To facilitate access to credit to small- and medium-sized enterprises with sound business plans in countries where there is limited means of accessing credit on market terms.
(C)To promote policies and practices conducive to economic freedom and private sector development.
(D)To attract foreign direct investment capital to further promote private sector development and economic freedom.
(E)To complement the work of the United States Agency for International Development and other donors to improve the overall business-enabling environment, financing the creation and expansion of the private business sector.
(F)To make financially sustainable investments designed to generate measurable social benefits and build technical capacity in addition to financial returns.
(4)Operation of funds
(A)Expenditures
Funds made available to an enterprise fund shall be expended at the minimum rate necessary to make timely payments for projects and activities carried out under this subsection.
(B)Administrative expenses
Not more than 3 percent per annum of the funds made available to an enterprise fund may be obligated or expended for the administrative expenses of the enterprise fund.
(5)Board of Directors
Each enterprise fund established under this subsection should be governed by a Board of Directors comprised of private citizens of the United States or the host country, who—
(A)shall be appointed by the President after consultation with the chairmen and ranking members of the appropriate congressional committees; and
(B)have pursued careers in international business and have demonstrated expertise in international and emerging market investment activities.
(6)Majority member requirement
The majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall be United States citizens who shall have relevant experience relating to the purposes described in paragraph (3).
(7)Reports
Not later than one year after the date of the establishment of an enterprise fund under this subsection, and annually thereafter until the enterprise fund terminates in accordance with paragraph (10), the Board of Directors of the enterprise fund shall—
(A)submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report—
(i)detailing the administrative expenses of the enterprise fund during the year preceding the submission of the report;
(ii)describing the operations, activities, engagement with civil society and relevant local private sector entities, development objectives and outcomes, financial condition, and accomplishments of the enterprise fund during that year;
(iii)describing the results of any audit conducted under paragraph (8); and
(iv)describing how audits conducted under paragraph (8) are informing the operations and activities of the enterprise fund; and
(B)publish, on a publicly available internet website of the enterprise fund, each report required by subparagraph (A).
(8)Oversight
(A)Inspector general performance audits
(i)In general
The Inspector General of the Corporation shall conduct periodic audits of the activities of each enterprise fund established under this subsection.
(ii)Consideration
In conducting an audit under clause (i), the Inspector General shall assess whether the activities of the enterprise fund—
(I)support the purposes described in paragraph (3);
(II)result in profitable private sector investing; and
(III)generate measurable social benefits.
(B)Recordkeeping requirements
The Corporation shall ensure that each enterprise fund receiving support under this subsection— (i)
(ii)maintains such records as may be reasonably necessary to facilitate effective audits under this paragraph.
(9)Return of funds to Treasury
Any funds resulting from any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of an enterprise fund, in whole or in part, shall be returned to the Treasury of the United States.
(10)Termination
The authority of an enterprise fund to provide support under this subsection shall terminate on the earlier of— (A)
(B)the date on which the enterprise fund is liquidated.
(h)Supervision of support
Support provided under this subchapter shall be subject to section 2382(c) of this title.
(i)Small business development
(1)In general
The Corporation shall undertake, in cooperation with appropriate departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States as well as private entities and others, to broaden the participation of United States small businesses and cooperatives and other small United States investors in the development of small private enterprise in less developed friendly countries or areas.
(2)Outreach to minority-owned and women-owned businesses
(A)In general
The Corporation shall collect data on the involvement of minority- and women-owned businesses in projects supported by the Corporation, including—
(i)the amount of insurance and financing provided by the Corporation to such businesses in connection with projects supported by the Corporation; and
(ii)to the extent such information is available, the involvement of such businesses in procurement activities conducted or supported by the Corporation.
(B)Inclusion in annual report
The Corporation shall include, in its annual report submitted to Congress under section 9653 of this title, the aggregate data collected under this paragraph, in such form as to quantify the effectiveness of the Corporation’s outreach activities to minority- and women-owned businesses.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Termination of SectionFor termination of section on Dec. 31, 2031, see section 9624 of this title.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is title V of Pub. L. 93–344 as added by Pub. L. 101–508, title XIII, § 13201(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–609, which is classified generally to subchapter III (§ 661 et seq.) of chapter 17A of Title 2, The Congress. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 621 of Title 2 and Tables.
Amendments
2025—Subsec. (c)(3)(C). Pub. L. 119–60, § 8741(b), inserted “, localized workforces, and partner country economic security” after “markets”. Subsec. (c)(4)(A). Pub. L. 119–60, § 8741(c), substituted “40” for “30”. Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 119–60, § 8741(a), added par. (7). Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 119–60, § 8742, added subsec. (f) and struck out former subsec. (f). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Corporation may administer and manage special projects and programs in support of specific transactions undertaken by the Corporation, including programs of financial and advisory support that provide private technical, professional, or managerial assistance in the development of human resources, skills, technology, capital savings, or intermediate financial and investment institutions or cooperatives, and including the initiation of incentives, grants, or studies for energy, women’s economic empowerment, microenterprise households, or other small business activities.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
22 U.S.C. § 9621
Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110