Power Africa Visits West Africa and Madagascar
In November, a Power Africa delegation led by Power Africa Coordinator Andrew Herscowitz traveled to Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Senegal for high level visits to meet with government officials, private-sector companies, and U.S. Government (USG) partners.
The Power Africa visit to Sierra Leone spurred thinking about expanded options for energy sector growth. In Sierra Leone, at the USAID-supported Mano River Union renewable energy conference, the Power Africa Coordinator announced Power Africa’s new West Africa Energy Program (WAEP) and advanced USG development goals for the country’s energy sector. The program expands Power Africa’s presence in both West and Central Africa to focus on increasing supply, connecting homes and businesses to the grid, strengthening utilities, and accelerating opportunities for regional electricity trade. In addition, the Coordinator participated in meetings with Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio and Energy Minister Alhaji Kanja Sesay — Sierra Leone’s prospects for an MCC Compact and recent developments in the country’s investment climate were key topics of discussion. The visit to Guinea allowed for critical discussions with Guinean President H.E. Alpha Condé and Dr. Cheick Taliby Sylla, Minister of Energy and Hydraulics regarding the power sector and overall U.S. investment. President Condé reaffirmed his commitment to increasing renewable energy development in Guinea. Power Africa also visited and had key conversations about the Tè Power Project. In Senegal, the Power Africa Coordinator held high-level meetings with the Government of Senegal, the USG, and private sector to discuss private-sector work with solar home systems, the U.S. footprint in Senegal, and key projects in Senegal.
The Power Africa visit strengthened partnerships with key host Governments officials, private sector partners, and interagency colleagues.
In December the Coordinator traveled for the first time to Madagascar. There he introduced Power Africa to the highest levels of government, explored areas of potential collaboration, conveyed how U.S. companies could contribute toward the country’s economic development, and advocated for a fair and transparent business environment. In doing so, Coordinator Herscowitz met with the leadership of the Government of Madagascar (GOM), the national power and water utility Jirama, representatives of development financial institutions, and members of the business community.
The visit to Antananarivo allowed for compelling discussions with Malagasy President H.E. Andry Rajoelina, Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Bien-Aime Victorien Raoelijaona and Acting Minister of Energy, Water and Hydrocarbons, Honorable Christian Ramarolahy. President Rajoelina reaffirmed his commitment to reforming the sector, to reducing the cost of energy to Jirama, increasing the share of renewable energy development in the country and expanding access.
