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US President Barack Obama set to increase the use of Electrical Power in Africa

US President Barack Obama set to increase the use of Electrical Power in Africa

US President Barack Obama set to increase the use of Electrical Power in Africa

Seeing Africa’s shortage of electrical Power, US President Barack Obama is to announce a $7bn initiative over five years in order to double access power in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mr Obama, who is midway through a three-country tour of Africa, was due on Sunday to give what aides billed as his fullest description of his vision for the US relationship with the continent.

Mr Obama has been faulted for lacking a grand programme to benefit Africa, many Africans have been disappointed at what they see as Mr Obama’s hands-off approach to the continent, noting that his first extended trip the continent has not come until his second term in office despite his African ancestry. Mr Obama’s father was a native of Kenya.

The lack of electricity is a tremendous hindrance to Africa’s advancement.

"Africa is largely a continent of darkness by night," said an official at a multilateral agency who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Every way in which you look at this, Africa is behind the curve and pays more."

Roughly two-thirds of sub-Saharan Africa lacks power, a level that rises as high as 85% in rural areas, White House aide Gayle Smith said.

Lack of power inhibits business investment, prevents children from studying after dark and makes it harder to keep vaccines from spoiling in rural areas, she said. The US will initially work with Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Tanzania to develop power generation, officials said and will use a set up of LED lighting and power generators to help. It will also co-operate with Uganda and Mozambique on oil and gas management.