To bolster electrification efforts across sub-Saharan Africa, Richard Nelson has been appointed as the new Power Africa Coordinator, effective April 4, 2024.
This appointment comes at a crucial time as the initiative aims to double access to electricity in the region through a collaborative effort involving 12 U.S. government agencies, African governments, over 200 private sector companies, and 22 international development partners.
Previously serving as the Mission Director to USAID/Uganda and as the Deputy Coordinator for Power Africa based in Pretoria, Nelson’s expertise in coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships will be instrumental in driving the initiative forward.
Power Africa, launched in 2013, has already made significant strides in addressing the electricity deficit in sub-Saharan Africa. Leveraging nearly $26 billion for 152 power projects across the continent, the initiative has facilitated the development of 14,300 megawatts of new electricity.
This has translated into tangible impact, reaching over 200 million people with new or improved electricity services, enough to power over 14 million households.
