Trump Ends US Initiative to Boost Renewable Energy Projects, Electricity in Africa

Get focused newsletters especially designed to be concise and easy to digest
Launched in 2013 by then-US president Barack Obama to support renewable energy projects and expand electricity access, Power Africa operated under the now-shuttered US Agency for International Development.
—
The Trump administration terminated a flagship foreign aid program to support renewable energy projects and increase electricity access across Africa, where more than 600 million people – or 43% of the population – still lack reliable access.
Power Africa was operated under the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the first high-profile target of the new Department of Government Efficiency’s radical cost cutting efforts led by billionaire Elon Musk. Over 90% of the agencies aid programs around the world have been terminated since Trump took office in January and some 1,600 federal workers have lost their job as a result.
Power Africa received just over $1 billion from the US since its inception in 2013 under then-president Barack Obama. But that finance went a long way, enabling a cumulative $29 billion in power project finance from others. The money supported the development of renewable energy – including geothermal, hydro, wind and solar power – as well as of power generation and transmission across the continent.
It also served to expand power access across countries and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly half of the population currently lives without electricity. When the program was launched in 2013, 62% of the population lacked access, World Bank data shows.
Over 150 power projects adding 15,498 megawatts to power generation in Africa, have reached financial close, enabling electricity access for some 216 million users, according to the Center for Global Development. The projects also created business opportunities for more than 100 US firms, providing deals valued at $26.4 billion.
Most of Power Africa’s programs were terminated and staff fired, Bloomberg reported. A State Department spokesperson indicated that only programs “serving our nation” – particularly those connecting projects with US companies – may be retained.
You might also like: Trump Pulls US Out of Key Global Climate Assessment Ahead of Meeting in China
Our non-profit newsroom provides climate coverage free of charge and advertising. Your one-off or monthly donations play a crucial role in supporting our operations, expanding our reach, and maintaining our editorial independence.
About EO | Mission Statement | Impact & Reach | Write for us
Hand-picked stories weekly or monthly. We promise, no spam!

Boost this article
By donating us $100, $50 or subscribe to Boosting $10/month – we can get this article and others in front of tens of thousands of specially targeted readers. This targeted Boosting – helps us to reach wider audiences – aiming to convince the unconvinced, to inform the uninformed, to enlighten the dogmatic.
donate