The United States government is involved in safe energy research and development-such as solar, wind, and hydro-energy projects-that help the African countries to realize their energy potential. In addition to government involvement in African energy concerns, private sector companies, such as Exxon, Shell, and Chevron, are involved in energy projects in many of the countries in Africa. Currently, Chevron is involved in building an eight hundred-mile underwater gas pipeline from Nigeria to Cote d’Ivoire to provide electrical energy to the residents of Cote d’Ivoire. The pipeline will be co-owned by the countries that the pipeline will be passing through-Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire.

Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson and his staff are working diligently to ensure this conference is a success. Other keynote speakers present at the conference were the Honorable Rodney Ellis, a senator from Texas, Arizona State University president Dr. Peter Likins, and David L. Goldwyn, Assistant Secretary for International Affairs. The Barbea Williams Performing Arts Company provided entertainment. In an interview following the luncheon, the director of the company-Barbea Williams-said, “Africa is a country rich in culture and natural resources. Through the celebration of African culture, we accomplish several goals: educating the public about African art and culture and developing a sense of pride and respect in and for our African heritage.”