Readout of the U.S. President’s Call with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
February 15, 2017

President Donald J. Trump spoke this week with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa to discuss ways to expand cooperation and trade between the United States and South Africa.  President Trump highlighted the strong bilateral trade ties between the two countries and expressed interest in identifying new, mutually beneficial opportunities for trade.  President Trump also suggested that the United States and South Africa do more to collaborate on shared security interests, including the fight against terrorism.  Both leaders agreed to continue dialogue on these priorities and find ways to deepen the bilateral partnership.

Readout of the U.S.  President’s Call with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
February 15, 2017

President Donald J. Trump spoke this week with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to discuss the strong cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, including on shared security, economic, and governance priorities.  President Trump underscored the importance the United States places on its relationship with Nigeria, and he expressed interest in working with President Buhari to expand the strong partnership.  The leaders agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and worldwide.  President Trump expressed support for the sale of aircraft from the United States to support Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram.  President Trump thanked President Buhari for the leadership he has exercised in the region and emphasized the importance of a strong, secure, and prosperous Nigeria that continues to lead in the region and in international forums.

Power Africa Coordinator, Andrew Herscowitz at a Workshop for Nigerian Power Distribution Companies

U.S. Embassy Nigeria
Press statement
February 15, 2017

Yesterday (February 14, 2017), Andrew Herscowitz, Power Africa Coordinator, spoke at a workshop for Nigerian power distribution companies. Power Africa brings together the private sector and governments to work in partnership to increase the number of people with access to power, on and off grid, on the African continent. In 2017, 95 million Nigerians still do not have access to electricity.  Power Africa’s goal is to add more than 30,000 megawatts in sub-Saharan Africa, including 450 megawatts to Nigeria’s grid by late 2018. Says Herscowitz, “If we are successful in Nigeria, we can be successful anywhere in the continent.”

Andrew Herscowitz, Power Africa Coordinator, “There are 600 million people on the continent (Africa) without power… that’s a 600 million person problem but it also represents a 600 million person opportunity! To those who suggest that consumers will not pay for power, he says, “People will pay for power, it is a commodity, they will pay for something that is reliable. People will pay for the things they want.”
 

 

Issued by United States Department of State