Opportunity Information: Apply for 720 674 23 RFI 00005
The Empower West Africa Program - Request For Information (RFI), also referred to as the Power Africa West Africa Program RFI (Funding Opportunity Number 720-674-23-RFI-00005), is a market-sounding and planning exercise issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on behalf of the United States Government. It was published on June 29, 2023, with written comments due by July 28, 2023. The notice is posted publicly on SAM.gov and Grants.gov, and it is available in both English and French to encourage broad participation from stakeholders working across West Africa and the energy sector.
The core purpose of the RFI is to gather input from any interested parties on what USAID should consider for future Power Africa activities in West Africa. USAID is explicitly asking for comments, opinions, questions, and recommendations that can inform its internal planning and help shape strategic decisions about upcoming programming. In other words, USAID is trying to understand priorities, challenges, opportunities, and practical approaches from the field before determining what future initiatives might look like.
A key point in the announcement is that this is not a funding solicitation. It is not a Request for Applications (RFA) or Request for Proposals (RFP), and it does not represent a commitment to make an award. USAID also notes that submitting a response does not create any obligation on the government side, and the government will not reimburse any costs related to preparing or sending input. Responses will not be acknowledged individually and will not be returned, reinforcing that the goal is informational rather than transactional.
Participation is open and unrestricted (Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted), meaning organizations, companies, partners, and other stakeholders are not limited by a narrow eligibility definition for the purpose of responding. Submissions must be sent in writing via email, and phone calls are not accepted. Respondents are instructed to email proposals@usaid.gov and copy ahorugavye@usaid.gov, using the specified subject line: "Power Africa Request For Information No. 720-674-23-RFI-00005". USAID also states it retains full discretion to use any, all, or none of the information received, without any liability, which is standard for RFIs intended to support program design.
The opportunity is categorized under discretionary funding, with an "Other" funding instrument type and an energy-focused activity area (FundingActivityCategory: Energy; CFDA/Assistance Listing reference 98.001). The listing includes an Award Ceiling figure of $80,000,000, but because this notice is an RFI rather than a solicitation, that number should be read as contextual or planning-related rather than as a confirmed amount available for competition at this stage. The issuing office is listed as USAID-Pretoria (South Africa), indicating the managing or posting entity, even though the focus of the input being requested is West Africa.
Overall, this announcement is best understood as USAID inviting the public and sector stakeholders to help shape what comes next for Power Africa programming in West Africa by providing practical, experience-based feedback before USAID finalizes any specific future procurements, partnerships, or grant competitions.Apply for 720 674 23 RFI 00005
- The South Africa USAID-Pretoria in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Empower West Africa Program - Request For Information" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-06-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-07-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $80,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Empower West Africa Program (Power Africa West Africa Program) RFI
1) What is the Empower West Africa Program - Request for Information (RFI)?
The Empower West Africa Program - Request for Information (RFI), also referred to as the Power Africa West Africa Program RFI, is a market-sounding and planning exercise issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on behalf of the United States Government. It is intended to gather feedback from interested parties to help inform USAID planning for potential future Power Africa activities in West Africa.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this RFI?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 720-674-23-RFI-00005.
3) Is this a grant or funding solicitation (RFA/RFP)?
No. USAID explicitly states this is not a funding solicitation. It is not a Request for Applications (RFA) or a Request for Proposals (RFP), and it does not represent a commitment by the U.S. Government to make an award.
4) What is USAID trying to learn through this RFI?
USAID is seeking comments, opinions, questions, and recommendations from any interested parties on what USAID should consider for future Power Africa activities in West Africa. The goal is to understand priorities, challenges, opportunities, and practical approaches from stakeholders working across West Africa and the energy sector before USAID finalizes future programming decisions.
5) Who can respond to this RFI?
Participation is open and unrestricted (Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted). This means organizations, companies, partners, and other stakeholders are not limited by a narrow eligibility definition for the purpose of providing input.
6) What is the deadline to submit written comments?
Written comments are due by July 28, 2023.
7) When was the RFI published?
The RFI was published on June 29, 2023.
8) Where is the notice posted and publicly available?
The notice is posted publicly on SAM.gov and Grants.gov.
9) In what languages is the RFI available?
The RFI is available in both English and French to encourage broad participation.
10) How do I submit a response to the RFI?
Responses must be submitted in writing via email. Phone calls are not accepted.
11) What email address(es) should responses be sent to?
Respondents are instructed to email proposals@usaid.gov and copy ahorugavye@usaid.gov.
12) What subject line should be used for the email submission?
Use the specified subject line: "Power Africa Request For Information No. 720-674-23-RFI-00005".
13) Are phone calls accepted for submitting input or asking questions?
No. USAID states that phone calls are not accepted. Submissions must be provided in writing via email.
14) Will USAID acknowledge receipt of my response?
No. USAID states that responses will not be acknowledged individually.
15) Will submitted responses be returned to respondents?
No. USAID notes that responses will not be returned.
16) Will the U.S. Government reimburse the costs of preparing an RFI response?
No. USAID states the government will not reimburse any costs related to preparing or sending input.
17) Does submitting an RFI response create any obligation for USAID to fund or partner with my organization?
No. USAID indicates that submitting a response does not create any obligation on the government side, and the RFI does not commit the U.S. Government to issue an award.
18) How might USAID use the information submitted in response to this RFI?
USAID may use the information to inform internal planning and shape strategic decisions about future Power Africa programming in West Africa. USAID also states it retains full discretion to use any, all, or none of the information received, without any liability.
19) What is the primary sector or activity area for this RFI?
The opportunity is energy-focused (FundingActivityCategory: Energy) and is associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing reference 98.001.
20) What funding type and instrument type are listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under discretionary funding, with an "Other" funding instrument type.
21) The listing shows an Award Ceiling of $80,000,000. Does that mean funding is available now?
No. While the listing includes an Award Ceiling figure of $80,000,000, USAID emphasizes this notice is an RFI and not a solicitation. That figure should be read as contextual or planning-related rather than as a confirmed amount available for competition at this stage.
22) Which USAID office is listed as the issuing office?
The issuing office is listed as USAID-Pretoria (South Africa). This indicates the managing or posting entity, even though the RFI is focused on gathering input related to West Africa.
23) What is the geographic focus of the input USAID is requesting?
The RFI is intended to encourage participation from stakeholders working across West Africa and the energy sector, with the goal of shaping potential future Power Africa activities in West Africa.
24) What is the overall takeaway for organizations considering responding?
This announcement is best understood as an invitation to provide practical, experience-based feedback that can shape what comes next for Power Africa programming in West Africa. It is informational rather than transactional: it is not an application for funding, does not guarantee future opportunities, and does not require USAID to act on any submitted input.
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