“East Africa Energy Program is keen on GDC’s projects: Geothermal development fits in very well with East Africa Energy Program goals owing to its green, renewable, and reliable characteristics,” according to USAID Power Africa Chief of Party, Dawie Pieterse. Corporate Africa assesses the Power Africa Project leadership, achievements, and challenges.

 

Eighty per cent of people without access to electricity live in Africa. And according to the International Energy Agency, global investments in green and renewable energy in Africa have seen less than 2 per cent. At least US$2 trillion in investment is required in Africa’s power sector alone to meet the UN climate change green energy goals. Addressing the dearth of energy across Africa is a ten-year Africa-EU Green Energy Initiative project running to 2027, which is endeavoring to increase access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy in Africa and increase the generation of renewable energy and energy efficiency. More than Є20 billion (US$21.7 billion) has been pledged by European partners, including Є3.4 billion (US$3.7 billion) in grants from the EU. On the other hand, the USA, through its USAID Power Africa, has partnered with Africa, its communities, and governments to invest a sum of US$40 billion from 2013 to 2030 to build electricity capacity focusing on green energy (micro-grids. wind, hydropower, solar, geothermal, and IPPs) spearheaded by the private sector and foreign investors from the US (United States) and Europe.

Kenya is abundant in geothermal energy reserves, and the GDC (Geothermal Development Company) of Kenya has partnered with the Power Africa USAID East Africa Energy Program to strategize and de-risk its exploration and production efforts in communities where it operates

The significance of these projects in African communities and how they have impacted African economies, healthcare, and homes have yet to be entirely determined. Table 1 shows that public financing for electricity in developing countries has declined since the start of the 21st century. Given that trillions of dollars are required alone to meet basic electricity needs for African citizens, the amounts pledged by Europe and America are small, but tranche of investments committed to date have created an impact in several countries on the continent; countries in the main which are loyal to US interests and have their military bases inside their borders as in the case of Kenya and Somalia.

The East Africa region, Kenya, in particular, best encapsulates the Power Africa partnership project with African governments to build megawatt capacity across the continent’s electricity power pools focusing on investments in low-carbon energy in communities lacking full access, including small-scale farmers and women enterprises. Kenya is abundant in geothermal energy reserves, and the GDC (Geothermal Development Company) of Kenya has partnered with the Power Africa USAID East Africa Energy Program to strategize and de-risk its exploration and production efforts in communities where it operates. USAID financed the GDC project, thereby granting access to electricity in the communities it serves by creating sustainable energy, greater efficiency, and effectiveness. Auditing markers were also devised to harness the community’s support to ensure continual supplies of funds and success. These soft power programs also strengthened US-Kenya ties, creating demarcation between friendly African nations in the US Western camp and those looking east towards BRICS.

USAID Chief of Party leader in East Africa, Dawie Pieterse, is keen to explain that Power Africa is still working to bring cleaner, more reliable electricity to homes and businesses, including significant new investments in regional programs and partnerships to further the US pledge to improve energy access. In collaboration with African governments, the global business community, and the project private sector development partners, it elevates clean energy technologies, strengthens local leadership, and advances gender-equitable approaches to improve lives and power economies.

It is unclear to what extent leadership in Africa has been strengthened by any or all of Power Africa’s projects, especially in the current economic environment caused by the fallout from COVID-19, the war in Europe, the conflict between the US and China, and the six-month-old war in Israel. What Power Africa has, however, accomplished is to elevate finance for low-carbon energy to the top of African governments’ agendas, making the region an energy bastion, attracting flows of green investments from nations across Asia, Europe, and America looking to engage local content partners to build megawatt capacity in low carbon electricity.

Power Africa Projects in Africa

Although Power Africa’s early goal was to add 10,000 Megawatts and 20 million connections in six focus African countries by 2030, the mission has since been expanded. More than 40 countries are now included in the program. According to implementers, they include Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

Political Transition and Power Africa 

“A light where there is currently darkness; the energy needed to lift people out of poverty – that’s what opportunity looks like.” – President Barack Obama, June 30, 2013

Despite changes in US political administration, Power Africa has continued to progress from Barack Obama in 2013 to Donald Trump in 2017 and Joe Biden, the current president of the United States. It also reflects the global agenda of the project, which is fundamental to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals targets to be achieved by 2050: Green energy is the infrastructure adopted by global consent to mitigate climate change and is propelled and supervised by the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international climate change treaty. It was adopted by 196 nations at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. These protocols guide the United Nations and all subsequent COP events and green energy investments.

Ten years have elapsed since the inception of Power Africa, and statistics provided by the US project to mark the decade milestone suggest that 36 million African homes and businesses have been connected out of a projected 60 million. It is alongside 14,000 megawatts of new power generation capacity, out of which 6,501 megawatts are powering rights for an estimated 172 million people.

Political transitions in partner countries in Africa also presented challenges. Still, Power Africa’s adaptability has allowed successful navigation and realignment with the strategies and policies of new administrations, ensuring that the core mission of enhancing energy access remained steadfast. Power Africa demonstrated resilience in the face of political change by engaging in open dialogue and collaboration with incoming leaders.

The Power Africa program will support 10 million on and off-grid connections for households and businesses in the region, providing 50 million people access to new or improved electricity generated from cleaner fuel sources. In addition, the program will mobilize US$4.7 billion in new public and private investment to support 1,227 megawatts of clean energy capacity and develop 1,500 km of new transmission lines. This critical infrastructure will deliver electricity to homes and businesses,” Samantha Power disclosed in a press release. 

Moreover, shifts in global energy policies and technological advancements brought about transitions within the energy sector. Power Africa responded by incorporating innovative solutions, embracing renewable energy sources, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies. This adaptability ensured the project’s relevance and positioned it at the forefront of sustainable energy initiatives globally.

Economic fluctuations, a common challenge in the development landscape, did not deter Power Africa. The initiative navigated funding challenges by diversifying its financial resources, engaging with diverse funding partners, and promoting investment in various energy projects. This financial acumen allowed Power Africa to withstand economic uncertainties and sustain its commitment to catalyzing transformative energy projects across the continent.

Ten years have elapsed since the inception of Power Africa, and statistics provided by the US project to mark the decade milestone suggest that 36 million African homes and businesses have been connected out of a projected 60 million. It is alongside 14,000 megawatts of new power generation capacity, out of which 6,501 megawatts are powering rights for an estimated 172 million people. 

Through transitions, Power Africa has not only sustained its impact but has also grown in influence. It has evolved from an ambitious initiative to a dynamic force driving change across Africa’s energy sectors. By embracing change, learning from challenges, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, Power Africa continues illuminating the path toward a brighter, more sustainable energy future for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Pillars of Progress

(I) Renewable Energy Integration:

Power Africa strongly emphasizes renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal. By leveraging the abundant natural resources of sub-Saharan Africa, the initiative is driving the transition away from traditional fossil fuels, contributing to both environmental sustainability and energy security.

(II) Private Sector Engagement:

Recognizing the private sector’s pivotal role in driving innovation and investment, Power Africa actively engages with private enterprises. The initiative facilitates partnerships, supports entrepreneurs, and attracts investments to accelerate the development of energy projects, ensuring financial viability and long-term sustainability.

(III) Policy and Regulatory Support:

Power Africa works hand-in-hand with African governments to create an enabling environment for the energy sector. It involves providing technical assistance, supporting policy reforms, and enhancing regulatory frameworks to attract investments and promote a resilient and dynamic energy ecosystem.

(IV) Community Empowerment:

Beyond infrastructure development, Power Africa prioritizes community engagement and empowerment. The initiative recognizes the importance of ensuring that energy projects benefit local populations, fostering economic opportunities, and improving overall quality of life.

A Decade of Power Africa’s Impact and Future Initiatives

As it marked its 10-year milestone in 2023, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, at the Africa Energy Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, announced a new Power Africa initiative for East and Central Africa to provide a five-year fund consisting of tens of millions to expand the agenda on access to cleaner, reliable energy in sub-Saharan Africa.

Close to 200 partners convened at the National Press Club in Washington to network

“The Power Africa program will support 10 million on and off-grid connections for households and businesses in the region, providing 50 million people access to new or improved electricity generated from cleaner fuel sources. In addition, the program will mobilize US$4.7 billion in new public and private investment to support 1,227 megawatts of clean energy capacity and develop 1,500 km of new transmission lines. This critical infrastructure will deliver electricity to homes and businesses,” Samantha Power disclosed in a press release.

Looking ahead, Power Africa continues to illuminate the path towards a brighter, more sustainable future for Sub-Saharan Africa. As it expands its reach and deepens its impact, the initiative stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and innovation and its shared commitment to empowering nations through accessible and reliable energy.