Trump’s administration will pursue the “Power Africa” programme, announced Andrew Herscowitz who coordinates the initiative in the US. Various US officials including State secretary Rex Tillerson support the initiative and want it pursued, the coordinator said.

Launched in 2013 by President Barack Obama, Power Africa aimed at doubling access to power in sub-Saharan Africa, by 2030.

The increasing implication of the private sector in the programme puzzles many of the new administration’s officials, according to Herscowitz. Truly, for each dollar that US government spends on the scheme, the private sector spends between $50 and $100. “This is a model that many in the administration really like and want to see continue,” the coordinator said.

The official continues indicating that three quarters of solar and wind plants projects which are to be developed under the programme have already been launched. Set goals have in fact tripled as the US wishes to develop 30,000MW of electricity which it will provide 60 million homes in the targeted region. However, a major challenge opposes this objective and that is the development of distribution networks, Herscowitz said reassuring that local actors of the power distribution sector are mustering the necessary efforts to overcome this barrier.

Gwladys Johnson