US, Japan to reduce energy poverty in Nigeria, other sub-Saharan African Nations

The United States of America and Japan have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) to expand US-Japan energy cooperation in sub-Saharan Africa and renew each country’s commitment to reducing energy poverty and increasing access to sustainable energy in Africa.

A statement by the US Department of State made available to SaharaReporters said the signing took place at the Seventh International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7) and was signed by Power Africa Coordinator Andrew Herscowitz and Ambassador Masahiko Kiya, Deputy Director-General of African Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Power Africa, the US government-led partnership coordinated by USAID to double electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa, has two distinct goals to increase new generation capacity by 30,000 megawatts and to help create 60 million new electricity connections by 2030.(Saharareporters)