Facilitating U.S.-Africa Clean Tech Partnerships Through Market Intelligence and Transaction Support

Launched at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022, the U.S.-Africa Energy Network (U.S-AEN) (formally U.S Africa Clean Tech Energy Network) aimed to increase U.S. clean tech exports to Africa by closing $350 million in new energy deals over five years. Coordinated by USAID’s Power Africa and Prosper Africa initiatives, the program sought to connect U.S. and African clean energy firms through transaction support, market intelligence, training, and strategic matchmaking.

The program made significant strides in creating a more connected, opportunity-driven clean tech ecosystem between the U.S. and Africa. Through actionable intelligence, strategic support, and deep engagement, CrossBoundary demonstrated how catalytic, time-bound technical assistance can unlock lasting value in emerging markets.

USAID engaged CrossBoundary to serve as an implementing partner for U.S-AEN, delivering on-demand support to U.S. clean energy companies and African counterparts. CrossBoundary’s role focused on unlocking clean energy trade and investment opportunities by combining transaction advisory services with trade events, targeted matchmaking, and market insights.

CrossBoundary worked within a consortium to design and implement US-AEN’s strategic activities, focusing on five core service areas: 

• Market intelligence and opportunity tracking: Maintained a live tracker of 60+ business and investment opportunities, categorized by technology, country, and deal stage. Trade support included business opportunity dissemination, commercial partner matching to 25+ companies including GE Vernova, Harnyss, Nextracker, OurEnergy, Sargent & Lundy, Schneider Electric. Market intelligence reports were developed on high potential opportunities such as Long Duration Energy Storage, Commercial & Industrial opportunities along the Lobito Corridor, and Green Hydrogen in Africa. 
• Transaction advisory services: Provided support to companies including investor matchmaking, pre-feasibility / feasibilitysupport, financial model reviews, and access to interagency tools such as EXIM Bank and USTDA. 
• African stakeholder engagement: Facilitated introductions between U.S. exporters and African buyers, utilities, and public agencies. Assessed the viability of launching an “Africa Champions Network” to promote U.S. clean tech uptake across the continent. 
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL): Established collaboration frameworks and IT-enabled tools to assess results and gather feedback from participating companies and partners. 
• Event activation and roadshows: Organized in-person engagements roadshow and supported U.S. company participation in African investment forums and trade events. These included:  
  • North Carolina Roadshow: U.S-AEN organized a roadshow in North Carolina, engaging with Power Africa partners, clean energy companies, and research institutions. The team held discussions with organizations such as AEG International, Babcock & Wilcox, Smart Wires, Trilliant, Net Power, Schneider Electric, and Modern Energy, focusing on advanced technologies, including solar/BESS solutions, hydrogen production, and grid optimization. The delegation attended Duke University Energy Week judging competitions, attending innovation showcases, and exploring research collaborations. U.S-AEN’s team also attended the RTCC Cleantech Energy Awards, facilitating in-depth discussions with Windlift and the Research Triangle Institute (RTI).  
  • Africa Investment Forum: During the Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, U.S-AEN engaged with African public agencies including Electricidade de Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire’s Comité National de Pilotage des Partenariats Publics-Privés, and MASEN (Morocco), to explore avenues for American company involvement. Opportunities for collaboration were explored in Mozambique’s upcoming transmission projects. The team facilitated introductions between network companies such as OurEnergy and PyVee and potential investors. U.S-AEN also met with major financial institutions, including Africa50, the African Finance Corporation, and the African Development Bank, to discuss coordinated strategies for attracting U.S. investments.   
  • Enlit Webinar: In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S-AEN co-presented the Enlit Webinar, highlighting energy opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa. This webinar introduced the program to American companies, and intake forms were shared with interested participants seeking program support.