Japan will add 1,200 MW of power to the capacity of Sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2018. Japan’s commitment aligns with the Power Africa initiative which aims to add 30,000 MW of power to the capacity of the region.

The government of japan for its new commitment signed with the United States a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) which includes sharing of strengths, expertise and resources to improve access to energy for African populations.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Japan to increase access to renewable energy for people across sub-Saharan Africa. With our combined resources and expertise, we are better equipped to facilitate the implementation of more low-carbon energy projects and enhance energy efficiency in existing power plants in the years to come,” said Power Africa Coordinator Andrew Herscowitz as the MOC was being signed.

Japan’s commitment falls in line with the goals of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) which it organizes. At TICAD’s fifth summit in 2013, the government of Japan made a commitment to spend $2 billion to promote renewable energy in Africa over five years.

Gwladys Johnson