CERAWeek 2018: Secretary Perry Convenes U.S.-Africa Energy Roundtable

Secretary Perry convened a U.S.-Africa Energy Roundtable at CERAWeek in Houston on March 7, 2018, as a way to build connections, relationships, and commercial opportunities among U.S. and African counterparts. The meeting brought together senior U.S. and African government officials as well as representatives from U.S. companies.  The U.S. government delegation included officials from the Department of Energy (DoE), the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Export-Import Bank (EXIM), and USAID’s Power Africa initiative. The African delegations were led by ministers from Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, and Uganda.

Secretary Perry welcomed the opportunity for the United States to partner with governments in Africa. He also highlighted the importance of access to reliable and affordable energy for the continent and the key role that natural gas could play in the development of African economies. Later in the Roundtable, government officials were joined by representatives from U.S. energy companies actively engaged in Africa.

Participants noted that improving the delivery of energy is critical to growth throughout Africa, and highlighted the strength of African countries as business partners. Attendees focused their discussions on topics ranging from energy access to technology, financing, resource management, digitalization, and competitiveness.

The Roundtable was followed later in the day with a reception where Secretary Perry emphasized the importance of U.S. partnerships with African partner countries as a way to promote security and prosperity on both continents.