February 28, 2025

What's next after the end of Power Africa?

February 27, 2025

US President Donald Trump has terminated Power Africa, an initiative launched in 2013 by then-US President Obama to support renewable energy projects and expand electricity access in Africa. Since its inception, the program has funded over 150 projects, adding 15.5 GW of power generation and connecting 216 million people.

  • The initiative helped to remove obstacles blocking financial flows into Africa. Since 2013, it has facilitated the mobilisation of $29 billion in power project finance from external sources–a 24x mobilisation ratio.

  • However, the closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding, which supported Power Africa, terminates this financial support. How will this impact Africa, and is this the opportune moment for the continent to reduce its reliance on foreign aid?

  • Our take: It is time for Africa to look inwards and design policies that attract private sector investment in energy infrastructure… Read more (2 min)

TelOne, Zimbabwe's state-owned telecom company, is inviting bids for solar power systems with battery storage for its network facilities. Bidders will finance, supply, and install the systems and receive payments in six monthly installments after commissioning. The tender is open for domestic bidding & closes on 6 March 2025.

  • The African market demand for telecom towers is growing rapidly as mobile phone ownership increases. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2025 to 2030, pushing the number of telecom towers to 273,000 units by 2030.

  • Ensuring uninterrupted communication is becoming critical, and so is powering these towers. National grids have proven unreliable. Renewables are coming in to provide reliable and affordable power.

  • Our take: Energy companies and financial institutions can develop innovative financing models, such as lease-to-own options, to encourage the adoption of solar energy by telecom companies… Read more (2 min)

This week, we have compiled 51 jobs in the renewable energy sector in Africa. The jobs range from mid-level to senior roles. The majority of the jobs are in Nigeria and South Africa. Join leading companies like SNV, CrossBoundary, Sun King, and mini-grid provider Husk Power in driving Africa's energy transition.

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Participants of the Green Conference 2025 captured at the University of Nairobi, Kenya

Events

📅 Register for the Invest in Africa Energy Conference (May 13)

📅 Participate in a webinar on C&I Energy Security Beyond Loadshedding (Sep 26)

📅 Attend the Nigeria Mining Week Event (Oct 13)

Various 

♻️ Jinja College makes biogas from latrines

🤝🏻 GEAPP & AFD Group collaborate for clean energy access in Africa

💸 IFC partners with AWB Egypt to boost SME & climate finance lending

📝 AFD and BADEA sign agreement for sustainable development in Africa

Seen on LinkedIn 

Marc Howard, a journalist at Africa Energy, says, “Electricity demand from mining offtakers has been the single most import source of demand driving Africa’s commercial and industrial (C&I) power sector.”

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