WHAT:           A briefing to media by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on the implementation of President Barack Obama’s ‘Power Africa’ Initiative.

WHEN:          Thursday, 11 September 2014

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding:      16:00pm – 17:00pm
Press Briefing (immediately after signing):         17:15pm – 17:45pm

WHO:             Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, NEPAD Agency Chief Executive Officer
                        Dr Reuben E. Brigety,U.S. Ambassador to the African Union
Mr Earl Gast, Assistant Administrator for Africa, USAID
Prof Mosad Elmissiry, Head NEPAD Energy Programme      


WHERE:        NEPAD Agency
Off New Road, Business Gateway Park, Block B, Midrand
                        Boardroom downstairs


Background Information:

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency will sign on September 11 at its Offices in Midrand a Memorandum of Understanding with U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on the implementation of President Barack Obama’s Power Africa Initiative.

“Power Africa” is a five-year private sector-led aimed at providing access to electricity to 60 million households and businesses in Africa.  During the recently held US /African Leaders Summit in Washington, August 2014, President Obama committed to doubling the number of people with access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa by unlocking the substantial wind, solar, hydropower, natural gas, and geothermal resources in the region to enhance energy security, decrease poverty, and advance economic growth.

NEPAD as the implementing Agency of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) will identify priority energy projects in partnership with USAID, so as to accelerate the implementation of Power Africa on the continent.