“My duties are to train the workers for a specific American construction system using American measurement methods, setting up crews and supervising construction, as well as preparing for the manufacturing of various components for the home structures, including the panels, septic tanks, and blocks that will all eventually be made here in Douala,” Smith said. “We are currently preparing each individual lot and building foundations using a production-type system.”

Those systems will likely be incorporated into subsequent Southwest International factories and Quality Habitat communities. Gabon, Chad and the Congo are among the contenders for new factories.

Truax said government officials have been supportive and receptive of Quality Habitat’s presence. The Bilateral Investment Treaty program between the U.S. and Cameroon supports Southwest International ‘s business model. The treaty protects private U.S. investment in developing countries, allowing “money to move freely,” he said.

Southwest International has also been contracted to build student housing and a market/shopping mall.

“I recently met the minister of housing and development for Cameroon when he came to the jobsite for a progress update,” said Smith. “Like many of our visitors, he liked what he saw. It is a good project.”

On paper, the company’s Garden Community resembles a plucked-from-America gated community with landscaping and a retention pond. Houses with three and four-bedroom floor plans — some boasting 1,615 square feet of living space — have two stories and single-car garages. Homes, which are coaxial-cable -and internet ready, also have Bahama shutters to maximize natural airflow while reducing interior heating from direct sunlight. Communities are illuminated at night with solar-powered streetlights. Garbage collection is centralized and neighborhood wells provide clean water. American technology also uses an ultraviolet system to treat water, killing meningitis, typhoid fever, polio and other infectious diseases transmitted through contaminated water.

Southwest International has partnered with major U.S. retailers and manufacturers to supply building materials, including Fastenal, Sherwin-Williams, Ashland Chemicals, Mohawk Industries, Sealoflex waterproofing systems, Cell-Tek Geosynthetics, Lowe’s and Jeld-Wen windows and doors. It has sourced factory LED lighting from a neighboring Venice, Fla. business.

“We’re shipping good-old American products to Africa,” Truax said. “A lot of American companies pulled out of Africa, including Sherwin-Williams. We’re using their paint and will bring them back into Africa.”

Smaller homes in the company’s communities start at $25,000 for 860-square-feet. In addition to import and export difficulties, Southwest International’s business plan was designed to overcome short- and long-term financing challenges that have previously prevented economic development in Africa.