---
title: "Trump ends US initiative to boost electricity access in Africa, Bloomberg News reports"
description: "Feb 26 (Reuters) - An initiative by the United States to increase electricity supply in Africa has been dismantled by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration after more than a decade of work, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Power"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-26-trump-ends-us-initiative-to-boost-electricity-access-in-africa-bloomberg-news-reports/"
published: "2025-02-26T13:47:19"
updated: "2025-02-26T13:47:21"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 186
---

# Trump ends US initiative to boost electricity access in Africa, Bloomberg News reports

> Feb 26 (Reuters) - An initiative by the United States to increase electricity supply in Africa has been dismantled by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration after more than a decade of work, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

By Reuters · Published 26 February 2025, 15:47 SAST · Updated 26 February 2025, 15:47 SAST

## Key points
- Power Africa, once a beacon of hope for electrifying the continent, is now flickering out as its programs face the chopping block and staff are left in the dark, all in the name of aligning with U.S. interests—because who needs a bright future when you have budget cuts?
- Power Africa's programs face termination, with most staff reportedly laid off.
- Some initiatives may be retained under different U.S. agencies, focusing on U.S. company connections.
- Launched in 2013 by Obama, Power Africa aimed to electrify millions of African households.
- U.S. State Department emphasizes restructuring to align programs with national interests.

## Content

Almost all of Power Africa's programs have been listed for termination and the majority of its staff fired, the report added, citing unnamed sources.

Some remaining programs, particularly those aimed at connecting projects with U.S. companies, may be retained under other U.S. agencies, the report added.

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.

"Each program is undergoing a review with the goal of restructuring assistance to serve U.S. interests," Bloomberg reported, quoting a State Department spokesperson.

"Programs that serve our nation's interests will continue. However, programs that aren't aligned with our national interest will not," an official from the department told Bloomberg in a reply to questions.

An email sent to the U.S. State Department's office requesting comment was not immediately answered.

Power Africa was operated under the U.S. government's relief provider, USAID, the [first high-profile target](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL2N3PG0XW&linkedFromStory=true) of the effort to slash federal government spending led by billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

(Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru, Editing by Louise Heavens and Ros Russell)