Edward Burrier is the senior advisor for private sector engagement in USIP’s Africa Center. In this role, Burrier examines the intersection of economic growth and peace and security.

Prior to joining USIP, he served as executive vice president of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Burrier helped direct all aspects of the agency’s operations, including serving as chair of DFC’s Investment Committee and approving over $8 billion in financing for projects in emerging markets for developmental impact, including major investments in Africa.

Beginning in July 2017, he served as chief operating officer and vice president of External Affairs at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) before its transformation to DFC. As vice president of external affairs, Burrier managed the agency’s relationships with Congress, federal agencies, and other key stakeholders. He oversaw all communications, public outreach, and engagement strategies in support of OPIC’s mission to advance development and U.S. foreign policy. In this capacity, he also directed the agency’s strategy in the successful passage of landmark legislation that modernized OPIC to DFC.

Before arriving at OPIC, Burrier served on Capitol Hill for 18 years, including as deputy staff director of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In this role, he advised the chairman on all policy matters before the committee and provided leadership on formulating legislative and communications goals. During his tenure, the committee enacted more than 40 pieces of legislation to advance U.S. interests across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Burrier earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Mary Washington College and a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

Publications By Edward

Challenging China’s Grip on Critical Minerals Can Be a Boon for Africa’s Future

Challenging China’s Grip on Critical Minerals Can Be a Boon for Africa’s Future

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

By: Edward A. Burrier;  Thomas P. Sheehy

Demand for the critical minerals powering the world’s clean-energy technologies, consumer goods and defense applications is skyrocketing. These metals are what the modern economy runs on: we need them for our phones, electric vehicles and satellites, and so much more. Forecasts estimate that in the coming decades, the world will need many times more cobalt, copper, lithium and manganese, among other minerals, than what is currently being produced.

Type: Analysis

EconomicsEnvironment

Four Takeaways from Treasury Secretary Yellen’s Trip to Africa

Four Takeaways from Treasury Secretary Yellen’s Trip to Africa

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

By: Edward A. Burrier

Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen’s recent 10-day trip to Africa kicks off a year of sustained, high-level U.S. engagement, aimed at demonstrating that the Biden administration is “all in on Africa, and all in with Africa” following December’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. With trips from the president, vice president, and other cabinet secretaries in the works, this “super-charged” U.S. diplomacy is moving beyond the typical secretary of state visits. A close look at some of the issues encountered by Yellen on her trip demonstrates that showing up on the continent may be the easy part of going all in with Africa.

Type: Analysis

EconomicsGlobal Policy

Leverage the Private Sector for a Durable Peace in Northern Mozambique

Leverage the Private Sector for a Durable Peace in Northern Mozambique

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

By: Edward A. Burrier

The Biden administration has a full agenda planned for African heads of state arriving for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington next week. While much of the summit will focus on economic development, peace and security challenges exist throughout Africa. One area where concerted leadership on both fronts could make a real difference is in northern Mozambique, where an African-led regional intervention has helped to stem — but not quell — an insurgency that has ravaged Mozambique’s resource-rich Cabo Delgado province.

Type: Analysis

EconomicsConflict Analysis & Prevention

In Africa, Putin’s War on Ukraine Drives Food, Fuel and Finance Crises

In Africa, Putin’s War on Ukraine Drives Food, Fuel and Finance Crises

Thursday, June 30, 2022

By: Edward A. Burrier

Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war on Ukraine has unleashed a wave of destruction and atrocities against its brave people. But the suffering and instability are not contained to Europe. Indeed, a continent away, Putin’s war has unleashed a “three-headed hydra” of food, energy and finance shortages in Africa, further threatening vulnerable Africans and putting dozens of countries at risk of default. Recognizing the need to tackle food insecurity, the Group of Seven (G-7) countries pledged billions more in assistance this week. But will it be enough given the severity of these challenges?

Type: Analysis

EconomicsGlobal Policy

New U.S. Plan to Address Conflict Could Boost Mozambique’s Gains

New U.S. Plan to Address Conflict Could Boost Mozambique’s Gains

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

By: Edward A. Burrier

Since 2017, an Islamist insurgency has terrorized Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado. Known locally as al-Shabaab, the group has committed heinous acts like beheadings, abducting children and destroying schools and hospitals, leading to a humanitarian disaster and over a million displaced Mozambicans. The violence has also threatened the development of natural gas fields that would strengthen the country’s suffering economy. Fortunately, the militants are now on their back foot after Mozambique’s neighbors sent troops in July 2021 to counter the ISIS-linked group. But the region’s problems are deep-seated and will require sustained engagement to stave off further violence and advance peace. Last Friday, the United States signaled it was prepared for such a commitment to Mozambique.

Type: Analysis

Fragility & Resilience

View All