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01.07.26

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Belize and MCC Strengthen Partnership with Compact Modification Signing

The Government of Belize and the U.S. Government's Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) marked another significant milestone in the implementation of the Belize Compact with the formal signing of modifications to the US$125 million grant agreement. The revised compact reinforces Belize's long-term commitment to transforming the country's education system and strengthening its energy infrastructure—two sectors identified as critical to driving sustainable economic growth.

The modification agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of Belize by Chief Executive Officer Carlos Pol of the Ministry of Economic Transformation. The ceremony brought together senior government officials, representatives of the U.S. Embassy, and leadership from Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)-Belize, reflecting the continued partnership between Belize and the United States in advancing national development priorities.

Building on a Shared Vision

Speaking during the ceremony, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño reflected on the collaborative process that led to the Belize Compact and reaffirmed the Government's focus on education and energy as the country's foremost development priorities.

"When discussions began with MCC, we knew the two priorities that Belize had were education and energy. Those remain the foundation of this partnership because investing in people and reliable energy creates opportunities for every Belizean."

The Prime Minister also noted that Belize's growing economy has increased electricity demand faster than originally projected, making additional investments in energy infrastructure both timely and necessary.

Strengthening the Energy Project

The modified compact reallocates US$20 million from the Education Project to the Energy Project following a U.S. Government foreign assistance review, while maintaining the compact's overall objective of reducing barriers to economic growth.

The additional funding will support:

• Construction of a new 69-kilovolt submarine transmission cable to Ambergris Caye, strengthening the national transmission network and improving system reliability.
• Continued modernization of Belize's energy sector through policy and regulatory reforms, including refinement of the Belize Energy Act.
• Investments designed to help reduce the long-term wholesale cost of electricity while meeting increasing national demand.

Continued Investment in Education

While funding allocations have been adjusted, the Education Project remains a central pillar of the Belize Compact.

The project will continue to focus on:

• Transforming teaching and learning in secondary schools;
• Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); and
• Equipping more young Belizeans with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an evolving workforce.

The Government of Belize has also committed additional national resources to both projects, including continued support for digital learning devices for students and increased financing for the energy sector to help ensure the compact achieves its intended outcomes.

A Partnership Focused on Results

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Katharine Beamer emphasized that the compact represents years of collaboration between Belize and the United States.

"Everything about this agreement—from identifying the sectors for investment to determining how those investments will be made—has been built through thoughtful coordination and partnership between our two countries."

She noted that investments in education will help prepare Belize's future workforce, while energy sector investments will strengthen the country's power system and contribute to lower electricity costs over time.

Moving Toward Entry into Force

As the accountable entity established by the Government of Belize, MCA-Belize will lead implementation of the modified compact as the program moves toward Entry into Force later this year.

The Compact Modification Signing represents more than an administrative update—it reflects the adaptability of the Belize Compact and the shared commitment of Belize and MCC to delivering lasting, measurable benefits for the Belizean people. Through continued investments in education and energy, the partnership is helping lay the foundation for a more skilled workforce, a stronger electricity network, and a more competitive economy for generations to come.

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