A group of senior energy officials from Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal is scheduled to visit the United States from March 23 to 27 to pursue partnerships aimed at upgrading and securing West Africa’s power transmission and distribution networks.
The delegation, consisting of 12 government and power sector representatives, will tour Washington, DC; Philadelphia; and New York City as part of an initiative led by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). The visit focuses on adopting U.S.-developed artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to improve grid reliability, efficiency, and resilience.
“The integration of AI-driven solutions and modern grid technologies will enable West African nations to achieve more stable and efficient power systems while opening commercial opportunities for U.S. companies,” officials from USTDA said.
Throughout the week, delegates will meet U.S. firms, attend demonstrations of advanced technologies for energy storage, grid stabilization, and AI-enabled control systems, and engage with public and private sector stakeholders to discuss regulatory, financial, and technical frameworks for implementation.
U.S. expertise set to transform regional energy networks
On March 24, USTDA will host a public business briefing in Washington where U.S. companies can hear directly from the delegation about opportunities and showcase their grid security solutions.
The U.S. private sector is widely regarded for its sophisticated energy distribution capabilities, which are essential for creating more secure, efficient, and resilient grids.
West Africa faces rapidly increasing energy demands due to population growth, urbanization, and rising industrial activity. Modernizing transmission and distribution infrastructure is therefore a top priority for governments across the region.
In 2026, Nigeria’s national electricity grid collapsed at least twice on January 23 and again on January 26 leaving parts of the country without power and highlighting persistent instability in the sector. These outages have forced some manufacturers to reduce production and underscored ongoing supply constraints.
By leveraging proven U.S. technologies, engineering know-how, and high-quality equipment, the participating nations aim to reinforce regional power networks, minimize outages, and enhance operational efficiency.
USTDA plays a key role as the U.S. government’s lead agency for infrastructure development in emerging markets, providing funding for early technical studies that accelerate project implementation, attract financing, and facilitate the procurement of U.S. goods and services.