USTDA Advances West Africa’s Power Infrastructure

Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced grant funding for a feasibility study supporting the West African Power Pool’s (WAPP) efforts to expand electricity access across the region through new power transmission infrastructure.

“USTDA shares the West African Power Pool’s vision of a unified electricity market that provides reliable and affordable power to the region’s consumers,” said Amb. Vinai Thummalapally (ret.), USTDA’s Acting Director. “Our contribution will help create a new transmission line and integrate renewable energy into a more modern and reliable regional grid. We are eager to link U.S. companies to the commercial opportunities that this project will present.”

The USTDA-funded study will evaluate the technical and economic viability of constructing a 400-mile 225 kV transmission line, including associated substation and distribution equipment, from Côte d’Ivoire to Liberia. The study will also include recommendations on the potential institutional and commercial framework for the project and the preparation of bidding documents.

USTDA’s partner, WAPP, is a specialized regional institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It is comprised of 38 public and private power generation, transmission, distribution, and marketing companies that are responsible for coordinating the interconnection of the power grids in the West Africa region.

WAPP Secretary General, Mr. Siengui A. Ki, said: “The WAPP Secretariat is quite excited to execute this novel partnership with USTDA. Together, we will significantly improve access to affordable climate-friendly electricity to the ECOWAS citizenry in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and beyond. This will create new opportunities to improve their quality of life.”   

This project advances the Biden-Harris Administration’s Build Back Better World partnership. It also supports the U.S. government’s Power Africa and Prosper Africa initiatives, in addition to advancing the goals of USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure, which connects U.S. industry to major clean transportation and energy infrastructure projects in emerging markets.

U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded feasibility study should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies.  USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries. 

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357

Photograph courtesy of the West African Power Pool.