By Bill W. Cooper
United States President Donald Trump has finally terminated the Power Africa Initiative, a program launched under US former President Barack Obama administration aimed at increasing electricity access across the African continent.
After nearly a decade of efforts to enhance energy infrastructure and promote economic growth, the decision has raised concerns about the future of energy access in Africa, particularly in Liberia, believed to be the United States’ oldest African ally.
The initiative, according Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter revealed that almost all of Power Africa’s programs have been listed for termination and the majority of its staff fired.
Citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg further reported that some remaining programs, particularly those aimed at connecting projects with U.S. companies, may be retained under other U.S. agencies.
The Power Africa initiative, which was launched in 2013 by then president Barack Obama, aims to bring electricity to tens of millions of households in Africa, as Power Africa was operated under the U.S. government’s relief provider, USAID, the first high-profile target of the effort to slash federal government spending led by billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Bloomberg also quoted a State Department spokesperson as saying, “Each program is undergoing a review with the goal of restructuring assistance to serve U.S. interests. Programs that serve our nation’s interests will continue.”
An official from the department told Bloomberg in a reply to questions further asserted, “However, programs that aren’t aligned with our national interest will not.”
Meanwhile, the decision could have broader implications for U.S.-Africa relations, especially Liberia which happens to be the US oldest African ally, and a country recovering from the wars of the century that has faced significant challenges in its rebuilding processes.
With Liberia being a historically close ally of the United States as such, the termination of such a key initiative may signal a shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities, as this could also lead to a decrease in American influence in the region, allowing other countries, such as China, to fill the void and expand their presence in Africa.
Some Liberians have all expressed concerns over the future of Liberia’s energy sector, noting that the Power Africa Initiative has been instrumental in Liberia efforts to rebuild the country’s energy infrastructure.
They further narrated that without the U.S. support, Liberia could face a significant setback, disclosing that the termination of this initiative could further send the country backward in its efforts to achieve universal access to electricity.”
Liberia has abundant natural resources, including hydro, solar, and biomass energy potential as such, it is key that the government harness these resources to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
By investing in renewable energy projects, Liberia can not only improve energy access but also contribute to global efforts to combat climate change because the end of the Power Africa Initiative marks a pivotal moment for Liberia and its energy sector.
Meanwhile, as the country struggles with the implications of this decision, it is crucial for the international community, especially the United States, to recognize the importance of supporting Liberia’s development goals.
Access to electricity is not just an economic issue; it is a matter of social justice and human rights because the future of energy in Liberia depends on collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to building a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.