To encourage African countries provide first-time access to electricity and power services for at least 50,000,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020.

In sub-Saharan Africa, 70% of the population does not have access to electricity. This prevents businesses, schools, and hospitals from operating and disproportionately harms women and girls, who instead of going to school, working, or caring for family members must spend entire days searching for fuel sources – often walking long distances that place them at increased risk of physical harm. H.R. 2847, the Electrify Africa Act, introduced by Chairman Royce, will improve access to electricity for millions of Africans by working with countries to stimulate private-sector energy investment in the region. The House passed the Senate version of the bill on February 1, 2016; signed into law on February 8, 2016 (P.L. 114-121).

Full text of H.R. 2847, as introduced

A section-by-section summary of H.R. 2847

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Related Press Releases

Chairman Royce on Enactment of Electrify Africa, International Megan’s Law (February 8, 2016)

Chairman Royce Praises Electrify Africa Passage on Medium.com (February 1, 2016)

In Tanzania, Chairman Royce Discusses Electrify Africa, Anti-Poaching Initiatives (January 20, 2016)

Royce, Engel, Smith, Bass Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Access to Electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa (June 23, 2015)