Chris Wright’s remarks were welcomed at a time when countries across the region have felt whipsawed by cuts to longstanding African energy initiatives.

For the past two days, under the soft lights of chandeliers in a Marriott basement a block from the White House, energy ministers and tech founders from across Africa gathered to discuss how best to bring electricity to more than 600 million people on the continent who have none.

Much of their hope, and fear, came from the whirlwind of change President Trump has brought to U.S. foreign policy, including the termination of Power Africa, a major initiative that had supported them for a decade. Was Mr. Trump abandoning them? Or might his promises of “global energy dominance” be a boon?

Attendees got at least a part of their answer on Friday morning. Chris Wright, the new administration’s energy secretary, took the stage and gave an impassioned speech on how

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