Advancing the Goals of the Power Africa Initiative to Expand Access to Electricity in Sub- Saharan Africa Through the Establishment of the President's Power Africa Working Group
Headline: Establishes Power Africa Working Group to Expand Electricity Access
What it does: Agencies must coordinate through a coordinator in the U.S. foreign aid agency to identify, prioritize, and support electricity projects and policy reforms in Sub‑Saharan Africa.
- Creates a U.S. foreign aid coordinator and an interagency working group.
- Directs agencies to support projects adding megawatts and household connections.
- Encourages local and regional companies' participation using financing and insurance.
Summary
This order establishes a coordinator within the agency that manages U.S. foreign aid (USAID) and creates an interagency Power Africa Working Group to expand electricity access in Sub‑Saharan Africa. It reaffirms goals to add 30,000 megawatts of generation and 60 million new household and business connections by 2030.
The order directs U.S. agencies to identify, prioritize, and support power projects, policy reforms, and private-sector participation. It focuses on cleaner energy, capacity building, and using financing and insurance tools.
It matters because increased electricity aims to reduce poverty, support jobs, and spur economic growth in African communities.
Ask about this order
Ask questions about this executive order and its implications.
What agencies are affected by this order?
How does this order change existing policy?
What are the practical implications of this order?