Quarterly Progress Report FY2021 Q2: Power Africa Data and Technical Support Services

The project aims to provide data and technical support services to Power Africa, a program that seeks to increase access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. The project has seven implementation tasks, including power sector technical support and advice, Power Africa relationship management, Power Africa data management and reporting, database management, strategic information technology and data support, transaction advisory support to the African Development Bank, and energy sector technical assistance support. During the reporting period, the DTS team worked across all technical service areas to advance Power Africa's objectives. The team completed seven due diligence reports and two due diligence refresher memos, supporting the Power Africa Partnerships Office to onboard new partners and keep records up to date. The Pretoria-based Data Team provided support to implementing partners for data management and reporting activities, including a number of trainings and management of DTS assigned tasks. The focus in this period was to ensure the utilization of newly developed functionality, mainly the CRM and FC/COD verification documents section. Recruitment for a locally hired long-term Transaction Advisor concluded in Q2, with the individual set to start on June 21, 2021. The DTS project has begun the onboarding process, which will be finalized by June 2021. The project achieved significant progress in Task 7 during the reporting period, with two studies under subtask 7.3 – Analyzing On-Grid Connections and Improving Access to Power Sector Finance through Information Services. The DTS team provided technical and logistical support to Power Africa's partners, including the African Development Bank. The project's data management activities included data collection, compilation, and dissemination on transactions, as well as support for data tracking and monitoring. The team also liaised with Power Africa's partners, including the African Development Bank, and implementing partners. The DTS project has made significant progress in advancing Power Africa's objectives, with a focus on data management and technical support services. The project's achievements include the completion of seven due diligence reports and two due diligence refresher memos, as well as the recruitment of a locally hired long-term Transaction Advisor. The project's data management activities have been a key focus area, with the team providing support to implementing partners for data management and reporting activities. The team has also made progress in Task 7, with two studies under subtask 7.3 – Analyzing On-Grid Connections and Improving Access to Power Sector Finance through Information Services. The DTS project has a strong focus on data management and technical support services, with a team of experts working across all technical service areas to advance Power Africa's objectives. The project's achievements demonstrate its commitment to increasing access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa.