Africa eyes alternative partners in energy

While there have been fears that the closure of the United States' Power Africa initiative, another victim of the "America First" policy, could worsen electricity shortage in Africa, leading experts said the impact will be minimal as the project has accomplished little substantial progress over the past decade, and its closure opens opportunities for the continent to seek alternative partners in energy.

The experts recognized that the initiative achieved some successes, but noted that there have been debates on its overall effectiveness, with concerns raised on unmet targets, limited industrial impact, and overstated achievements.

Power Africa, launched by the US in 2013 aimed at improving access to electricity in Africa, was operated by USAID and terminated earlier this year, with the majority of its staff having been dismissed.