Yesterday, the U.S. Congress passed the Electrify Africa Act, promoting investment in access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. The Electrify Africa Act in part formalizes Power Africa – a U.S.- led initiative to work with African governments, the World Bank, African Development Bank, and donor governments to leverage private sector investment in electricity access.
To be successful in reducing energy inequality in Africa, Power Africa will need to ensure that it responds to the needs and priorities — and respects the human rights — of the African communities it proposes to benefit. In a blog post “Time for a power shift in Power Africa,” Gretchen Gordon with the Coalition for Human Rights in Development highlights some of the challenges for Power Africa and ways it can make sure that increased investment translates to real benefit in people’s lives.
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