Power Africa - Annual Report 2015.
GE Africa (Lagos)
It Takes a Village to Power Africa
Africa boasts some of the world's fastest-growing economies, but its growth potential is limited by poor energy infrastructure, with only a third of the population of Sub-Saharan Africa having access to power.To help address this problem, the U.S. launched Power Africa a few years ago to bring power to 60 million businesses and homes by 2030. Andrew M. Herscowitz, coordinator for President Barack Obama's Power Africa and Trade Africa initiative, in this interview, discusses lessons learned since the 2013 launch, the importance of a partnership approach, and his optimistic outlook on power Africa's future
When Power Africa first launched, we were focusing heavily on grid-level projects. But you look at the roadmap we just launched, only a portion of the connections are on grid, with plans to connect 25 million 30 million of homes and businesses through our Beyond the Grid initiative. Companies are creating systems that are beyond just two light bulbs and cellphone charger — they’re creating these super-efficient appliances. They’ve become appliance-leasing companies, allowing people who are living off the grid to approximate what life is like living on the grid by using DC-powered fans, televisions, clothing irons, and electric razors.
InFocus
-
"One easy way to see Africa's power problem is by looking at a picture of the Earth from space at night," writes GE Report's Mark Egan and Tomas Kellner. "While other inhabited ... Read more »
-
The U.S. African Development Foundation partnered with GE Africa to promote innovative solutions that develop, scale-up or extend the use of proven technologies for off-grid energy ... Read more »
