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EO 13746Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13746

Advancing the Goals of the Power Africa Initiative to Expand Access to Electricity in Sub- Saharan Africa Through the Establishment of the President's Power Africa Working Group

This executive order establishes a formal interagency structure to advance the Power Africa initiative, which aims to double electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 through 30,000 MW of new capacity and 60 million new connections. It creates a Coordinator position at USAID and a Power Africa Working Group co-chaired by USAID and the NSC to coordinate across 13 federal agencies. The order also directs agencies to facilitate participation of African private sector companies in energy projects.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 78697

Impact dates

  1. Power Africa target: 30,000 MW capacity and 60 million connections

  2. Report to Congress on progress toward comprehensive multiyear strategy

  3. Electrify Africa Act target: 20,000 MW and 50 million people with first-time access

  4. EO takes effect; Working Group and Coordinator position established

Key directives

  • USAID shall serve as lead agency and establish Coordinator for Power Africa position
  • Establish Power Africa Working Group co-chaired by USAID Coordinator and NSC staff member
  • Working Group shall include representatives from 13 specified agencies plus others designated by Co-Chairs
  • Working Group may establish sub-groups for three Roadmap pillars: megawatts, connections, and unlocking energy sector potential
  • Participating Agencies shall facilitate participation of local and regional African companies in power/renewable energy/climate projects
  • USAID Administrator shall lead development of report to Congress on progress toward multiyear strategy

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Establishment of Coordinator for Power Africa position at USAID
  • Creation of Power Africa Working Group with designated co-chairs

Near term (90d)

  • Working Group formation and initial agency representative designation
  • Development of sub-groups for Power Africa Roadmap pillars

Long term

  • Progress report to Congress on strategy implementation
  • 2030 target for 30,000 MW capacity and 60 million connections
  • 2020 target under Electrify Africa Act for 20,000 MW and 50 million people

Risks & tensions

  • Subject to availability of appropriations—funding not guaranteed
  • No enforcement mechanism for 2030 goals; aspirational targets
  • Potential tension between leveraging oil/gas reserves and 'leapfrog to cleaner forms of energy'
  • Coordination across 13+ agencies may create bureaucratic friction
  • Vague: 'as appropriate' and 'to the maximum extent possible under the law' weaken directives
  • New administration could deprioritize or revoke; EO lacks statutory permanence
  • African private sector preference may conflict with U.S. commercial interests
Executive Order 13746: Advancing the Goals of the Power Africa Initiative to Expand Access to Electricity in Sub- Saharan Africa Through the Establishment of the President's Power Africa Working Group · Executive Orders