Washington Ends Power Africa: A Major Blow to Continent's Electrification

The Trump administration has decided to end Power Africa, a program launched in 2013 under the presidency of Barack Obama. This initiative aimed to accelerate access to electricity for millions of African households by mobilizing public and private investments. The termination of this project is part of a broader strategy to reduce foreign aid, in line with the "America First" policy.

The initial goal of Power Africa was to provide a stable and affordable energy source to tens of millions of Africans, particularly in rural areas. However, with this abrupt termination, the future of many electrification projects becomes uncertain.

Power Africa was overseen by USAID, an agency whose $42.8 billion budget funds nearly 42% of global humanitarian aid. But with the funding freeze decreed by Washington, the agency is now undergoing a major restructuring. The result: 1,600 employees laid off in the United States and a large portion of the staff placed on administrative leave.

The Trump administration's decision is based on a clear principle: funds allocated to international aid must be aligned with American interests. Consequently, initiatives that do not directly benefit U.S. businesses or policies are gradually being abandoned.

For Africa, this means a return to square one in the struggle to electrify millions of households, while energy demand continues to grow.