Power Africa leverages Partnerships to Increase Access to Electricity in sub-Saharan Africa
Approximately 53 percent of sub-Saharan Africa's population lives without access to electricity. Power Africa was launched in 2013 to harness the collective resources of the public and private sectors to improve access to affordable and reliable electricity in sub-Saharan Africa.
THE GOAL
Power Africa’s goal is to add at least 30,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation capacity and 60 million new home and business connections by 2030.
STRENGTH IN PARTNERSHIP
The Power Africa model is based on effective partnerships that link public and private sector goals and resources, and connect investors and entrepreneurs to business opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa. With U.S. agencies, African governments, private sector actors, and other stakeholders serving as partners in the enterprise — Power Africa uses collective problem solving to support African leaders to pave their own future.
To learn more about our partners visit: https://www.usaid.gov/powerafrica/partners
HOW WE WORK
Power Africa is connecting sub-Saharan Africa’s population to the electricity grid, and providing access to those who live beyond it. Our unique approach is defined by:
African-led Reform: Power Africa works with African governments to fill critical skills gaps, drive reforms, and build and maintain power sectors for generations to come.
On-the-Ground Support: Power Africa’s in-country advisors identify the technical, financial, and political solutions needed to facilitate faster access to power for local communities, major cities, and regional power pools. They work closely with our partners to provide and implement these solutions.
Transaction Focus: Power Africa addresses the critical impediments that hinder progress of a particular deal, creating a ripple effect that assists other deals facing similar issues in the country. Our approach to reforming Africa’s energy sector is to work with governments and the private sector to strengthen an enabling environment with laws and policies that attract investment.
Working Beyond the Grid: Power Africa partners with investors and companies to implement small-scale and off-grid energy solutions, such as solar home systems, micro-grids, and mini-grid connections, to increase people’s access to electricity in remote communities.
Bridging the Financing Gap: Power Africa works through partners, including the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, using tools such as credit guarantees and first-loss capital, to de-risk investments so that public and private investors can fund projects that drive more electricity generation and connections.
Empowering and Powering Women: Recognizing that men and women experience energy poverty differently, and historically have had unequal access to energy-related opportunities, Power Africa supports projects, programs, and policies that value women as energy consumers and that promote women’s participation and leadership in the energy sector workforce.
Power Africa is the U.S. government’s commitment to working with African partners to end energy poverty and unleash the continent’s economic potential.
