In the last ten years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has invested profoundly in West Africa’s power sector. USAID has impacted the energy sector in the region with projects and programs in the on-grid and renewable energy sectors.
In the past 12 months, USAID has executed some landmark projects through the USAID Power Africa Program (to achieve 30,000 megawatts at financial close and 60 million connections by 2030), which covers not only West Africa but the entire continent.
Some of these program include the West Africa Energy Program (WAEP) and the Nigeria Power Sector Program (NPSP).
On June 24, 2024, USAID launched a new five-year program, Empower West Africa (EWA), to build on the achievements of the West Africa Energy Program.
This $73 million USAID and Power Africa program will increase access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and clean energy in West Africa for inclusive economic growth, competitiveness, security, and improved health and education outcomes.
By 2029, EWA aims to establish six million new grid and off-grid direct connections, reach financial close for 2,500 megawatts of new energy generation capacity and construct 1,500 kilometres of new transmission lines.
In addition, the program will sell 40,000 productive-use off-grid devices or systems and reduce, sequester, or avoid 14.4 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions through clean energy initiatives.
Recall that the USAID Power Africa Program in Nigeria, the Nigeria Power Sector Program, recently hosted a closed-door fireside chat with stakeholders in the energy sector to review its impact in the sector in the past ten years.
This event hosted stakeholders in the energy sector, including the Power Africa’s Richard Nelson who addressed the challenges in the sector and proposed solutions and areas Power Africa can play a key role.
Some of the Major Projects in West Africa in the Last 12 months
Since July 2023 till Date, USAID has invested in and executed at least five projects and programs in West Africa.
Nigeria
- USAID signed a $115.2 billion ($75 million) deal with the Ministry of Power for electricity reforms and clean energy transition.
- USAID’s “Growing Green Jobs for Women in Nigeria” trained over 700 women and youths in Nigeria’s clean energy sector.
Sierra Leone
- The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) facilitated up to $412 million in financing and political risk insurance in support of the country’s plans to address rolling blackouts and expand its power system through renewable energy solutions in the future.
Ghana
USAID, through WAEP collaborated with Ghana’s Ministry of Energy to develop a cutting-edge data-driven inventory management system (IMS). This system has facilitated over 400,000 new electricity connections by providing real-time data on the availability and distribution of energy equipment.
Others
- USAID awarded Tetra Tech $73 million for energy transition in 18 West African countries.