When President Obama visited Africa last summer and announced the Power Africa initiative — an effort to double access to power in sub-Saharan Africa — he was clear about the imperative behind the initiative. “In our global economy, our fortunes are linked like never before,” the President said. “So more growth and opportunity in Africa can mean more growth and opportunity in the United States.”

In March, Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman traveled to South Africa and Mozambique, where he highlighted the importance of building strong partnerships to drive a more sustainable and prosperous energy future for both the U.S. and Africa. These partnerships also underscore the President’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for international cooperation to address the impacts of a changing climate and reduce emissions worldwide.

Throughout his trip, Deputy Secretary Poneman met with leaders across South Africa’s and Mozambique’s energy sectors and discussed ways to unlock the potential of all our energy resources and move towards a low-carbon and more resilient energy economy.

The trip also highlighted the upcoming U.S.-Africa Energy Ministerial in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, happening June 3-4. Co-hosted by Secretary Moniz and Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy Tegenu, the Ministerial will be focused on bringing together senior U.S. and African government officials, U.S. and African private sector leaders, and civil society to catalyze concrete actions that drive sustainable energy growth in Africa.

Learn more about the U.S.-Africa Energy Ministerial at usafricaenergyministerial.com and check out photos from Deputy Secretary Poneman’s trip to Cape Town, Pretoria and Maputo above.