AFRICAN leaders, global changemakers, and private sector representatives are set to gather in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on January 27-28 for the first-ever Africa Heads of State Energy Summit. The summit will kickstart Mission 300 (M300), an ambitious initiative aiming to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
Spearheaded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank Group, Mission 300 represents an unprecedented collaboration to address Africa’s massive energy access gap. Currently, nearly 600 million Africans—83 percent of the world’s energy-deprived population—lack access to electricity, highlighting the urgency of the initiative.
‘No economy can grow, industrialise, or be competitive in the dark,’ said AfDB President Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who called the project a ‘game changer for Africa’s development.’
The initiative has already secured the support of the G7, the G20, and key development partners, having been officially launched at the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings 2024.
A transformative agenda for energy access
The summit is expected to result in two key deliverables:
- The Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, which will outline commitments from African governments to implement energy sector reforms.
- National Energy Compacts, which will serve as country-specific blueprints for achieving universal electricity access.
Twelve countries will unveil their initial energy compacts at the summit. These nations—Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia—collectively represent over half of the global population without electricity access.
Future phases of Mission 300 will extend to other African nations, ensuring broader participation and impact.
Partnerships to drive results
Mission 300 aims to leverage innovative financing and cutting-edge technology to transform Africa’s energy landscape. The project will also focus on strengthening regional power planning, market trade, and policy frameworks to support the African Single Electricity Market and the Continental Master Plan.
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga outlined a three-pronged strategy for the initiative:
- Government action to implement reforms.
- Financing from multilateral development banks.
- Private sector investments to accelerate infrastructure development.
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and The Rockefeller Foundation have already pledged $10 million in technical assistance for electricity projects across 11 African nations.
AfDB’s pioneering role
As Africa’s leading development finance institution, the African Development Bank plays a central role in the Mission 300 initiative. The AfDB’s current energy portfolio is on track to deliver 43 million new connections, with plans to expand this to 50 million under M300. Meanwhile, the World Bank has committed to providing 250 million connections by 2030.
AfDB’s track record includes landmark projects like Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, which added 310 megawatts to the country’s energy capacity. Another transformative project, the Desert to Power (D2P) initiative, aims to develop the Sahel region’s solar potential, connecting 250 million people across 11 countries.
One recent D2P success includes a $302.9 million co-financing package for a solar plant and electricity interconnection project between Mauritania and Mali, which will benefit over 100,000 households.
A brighter future
For millions of Africans who have lived without reliable electricity, Mission 300 promises far more than infrastructure. It symbolises an opportunity for transformation—economically, socially, and personally. Access to electricity will power schools, hospitals, and businesses, enabling sustainable development and improving daily life across the continent.
Next week’s summit in Dar es Salaam will set the stage for this electrification revolution. By bringing together governments, development partners, and private sector stakeholders, the summit aims to forge lasting partnerships and secure the commitments needed to achieve universal electricity access in Africa by 2030.
‘The entire world will be watching us,’ said Dr Akinwumi Adesina, as anticipation builds for what could be a historic turning point for Africa’s energy future.
