POWER AFRICA: KICKING THE DOOR DOWN FOR ENERGY INVESTMENTS

Allowing private companies to finally enter the Ethiopian energy sector was not the work of one U.S. agency, but 12 different agencies -- and multiple partners -- that are working together as one team to advance President Obama’s Power Africa initiative. Read More

AfDB REAFFIRMS ITS SUPPORT FOR POWER AFRICA

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is an anchor partner of the Power Africa Initiative. The AfDB is a multilateral development bank whose stakeholders include the 54 African countries and 27 non-African countries. Its primary objective is to contribute to the sustainable economic development and social progress of its regional members. Read more

HOW PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS ARE TURNING THE POWER AFRICA VISION INTO REALITY

"We hope to go from 5,000 units now to 10,000 units by the end of next year," says Michael Wanyonyi, CEO of Mibawa Suppliers about his 'rent to own' solar scheme which gives Kenyan villagers a cheaper, safer and more regular power supply. Whether it is kick starting local off-grid energy projects in Kenya and Nigeria through to involvement in larger scale initiatives across the region, GE's involvement in the Power Africa initiative is very much underway. Read more

MY PERSONAL JOURNEY AS AN ETHIOPIAN AMERICAN WORKING FOR POWER AFRICA

My grandmother spent her whole life in southern Ethiopia and passed away a few years ago without ever having switched on an electric light. I also spent much of my early life in Africa, where I saw first-hand the obstacles faced by a society without ready access to electricity. So in the summer of 2013, when President Obama announced the launch of the Power Africa initiative, I knew a rare opportunity and important responsibility had come my way. For starters, it was clear the Overseas Private Investment Corporation would play a crucial role in supporting the private sector investment needed to significantly increase Africans' access to power. Read more

POWERING AFRICA AND REDUCING POVERTY: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM M.C.C.

Many of the Millennium Challenge Corporation's partner countries recognize the strong link between accessing power and reducing poverty. Whether it's connecting schools in communities that were previously off the grid in central Tanzania, generating a reliable power supply for Zanzibar, reaching rural communities in Ghana, or deepening the capacity of Malawi's power sector to sustainably provide electricity to customers, MCC is using power projects in Africa to help people pull themselves out of poverty. Read more

POWERING AFRICA: A CONVERSATION ABOUT PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS

An intragovernmental discussion on Power Africa's Progress and Prospects. Panelists examine what has happened in the months since the President's announcement of the Power Africa initiative and discuss the outlook for legislation, as well as short and medium-term plans for implementation by the administration. View

PHOTO GALLERY

View the Power Africa Photo Gallery. Click here

Notable Transactions

Aeolous 60 MW Wind Park, Kenya:
This is the largest privately owned wind park in Sub-Saharan Africa (outside of South Africa).

Corbetti Geothermal 1,000 MW Project, Ethiopia:
This is the first privately owned generation project in Ethiopia which will provide 1,000 MW of clean geothermal energy when completed.

Cummins 12 MW Biomass Project, Kenya:
Power Africa helped Cummins, a small-scale American biomass energy developer, finalize its agreement with Kenya Power for electricity production. View More

POWER AFRICA NEWS

CNBC interview with Earl Gast, USAID Assistant Administrator for Africa on Power Africa
CNBC Africa

Kenya: “Renewable Energy Sector Attracts Huge Investments”
Daily Nation

“Solar Power Plants Would Amount To 28% Increase in Ghana’s Electricity”
Clean Technica

"Obama Africa Policy Gaining Momentum"
Voice of America

"Construction Begins on $7 Billion Power Africa Project"
IEEE Spectrum Magazine

"The Big Idea Behind Power Africa"
Devex

Interview with Eddie Njoroge, member of the Africa Renewable Energy Fund Investment Committee
CCTV

UPCOMING EVENTS

International Geothermal Energy Forum
April 22, 2014
Washington, DC

World Economic Forum on Africa
May 7-9, 2014
Abuja, Nigeria

AfDB Annual Meetings
Kigali, Rwanda
May 19-23, 2014

US-Africa Energy Ministerial
June 3-4, 2014
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Africa Energy Forum
June 18-20, 2014
Istanbul, Turkey

President Obama hosts US-Africa Leaders Summit
August 5-6, 2014
Washington, DC