Congress passes 'Electrify Africa act' to help millions get access to power

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Electrify Africa Act, after nearly two years of trying to get the measure through both chambers of Congress. 

It now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.  

The bill will provide a framework for a major public-private partnership between the US and sub-Saharan African countries to help millions of people gain access to reliable electricity.  

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce of California said the Electrify Africa Act seeks to address the massive electricity shortage that affects the everyday lives of millions of people. 

Adding that it is a direct response to the fact that today 6 hundred million people living in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to reliable electricity.


VOA