Power Africa West Africa Energy Program

Since the 2018 launch of Power Africa, USAID and other U.S. Government agencies have worked to increase the number of people with access to power. Building on Power Africa's priorities, WAEP supports increased power supply, increased access to power, a strengthened enabling environment, and a regionally connected system. WAEP focuses on several key areas, including productive uses of energy (PUE) and energy sector women leadership. The program has trained agribusinesses in Ghana's Zone of Influence (ZI) to adopt productive uses of energy, benefiting hundreds of farmers. Additionally, WAEP has developed and rolled out training to equip women in the energy sector with management and leadership skills to advance in their careers. The program has also supported the establishment of a unified electricity market in West Africa, enabling regional electricity trade for the first time. WAEP has partnered with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to support the financial closure of a 200 MW solar-hydro plant at the Bui Power Authority (BPA), the first solar-hydro facility in West Africa. In terms of outcomes, WAEP has achieved several successes, including the development of an energy transition strategy in Senegal to decarbonize power generation through renewables. The program has also facilitated the unlocking of private sector investment for off-grid projects and provided direct technical assistance on market, financial modeling, and regulatory compliance. WAEP's efforts have led to significant progress in West Africa's electricity sector. The program has supported the development of a robust regional electricity trading market, increased investment in renewable energy, and improved performance of national utilities and power sector entities. Overall, WAEP's work aims to contribute to Power Africa's goal of adding at least 10,000 MW and 60 million connections by 2025. The program has also made significant progress in terms of its geographic focus, with a focus on several countries in West Africa, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Sierra Leone. In terms of timeframes, WAEP's work is ongoing, with a focus on the next several years to achieve its goals. The program's efforts are expected to contribute to West Africa's electricity sector development and support the region's economic growth and development.