Yet, for 600 million people in Africa, this right remains out of reach. They lack access to the essential opportunities electricity provides: modern healthcare, quality education, greater quality of life, job opportunities, and economic growth.
In response, the World Bank Group (WBG) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) committed to delivering electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030 – an initiative called Mission 300. Several partners, like The Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), are joining forces to achieve this goal. Their efforts focus on mobilizing public and private financing, building government capacity, engaging key stakeholders, and streamlining processes to drive progress.
A Unique Approach to an Urgent Challenge
The stakes are high. The gap between those with and those without electricity exacerbates inequality, leaving rural and underserved communities further behind. Technological breakthroughs, digitalization, industrialization, and innovative finance and business models create unprecedented opportunities for powering Africa.
What sets Mission 300 apart is its scale and the fact that it is impact-driven and provides a broad partnership framework. By focusing on both on-grid and off-grid solutions, the initiative aims to deliver electricity access to some of the most remote and vulnerable communities in Africa. This approach involves expanding national electricity grids while deploying mini-grids and standalone solar systems for regions where grid expansion is not immediately feasible.
In addition, African governments are taking the lead on Mission 300 as they prioritize reforms and actions to modernize Africa’s energy sector, setting measurable targets in five areas:
- Expanding cost-effective power generation through competitive procurement of new generation assets and by switching to lower-cost sources of supply.
- Boosting regional power integration through cross-border trade that shares the benefits of lower cost generation.
- Scaling up last-mile electrification with distributed renewable energy solutions as well as grid extension and densification.
- Unlocking private investment through supportive regulatory frameworks.
- Strengthening utilities with transparent financial management to achieve operational cost recovery.
In this journey, the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on January 27-28, 2025, is a landmark gathering focused on accelerating energy access across Africa. Hosted by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the African Union, the African Development Bank Group, and the World Bank Group, the Summit is an opportunity for governments, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society to advance Mission 300’s ambitious goal.
At the Summit, African Heads of State are expected to endorse the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a shared commitment to energy reforms and transformative action across Africa. Multiple countries will present and sign National Energy Compacts outlining targets and reform commitments tailored to their unique contexts. By mobilizing substantial development financing, technical expertise, and innovative partnerships, the Summit aims to lay the foundation for a people-centered energy transformation that fuels economic growth and expands opportunities for millions of people across Africa.
The Road Ahead
Achieving Mission 300’s ambitious targets will require substantial financial resources and effective public-private partnerships. The WBG and AfDB are already scaling up their investments, with projects underway to connect over 100 million people. However, closing the energy gap will demand even greater contributions from the private sector, as well as innovative financing mechanisms.
The private sector is already breaking new ground, delivering off-grid energy solutions that are transforming millions of lives. Looking ahead, deeper collaboration will be essential to scaling up these efforts and accelerating progress.
Development partners and philanthropic organizations are playing a crucial role in mobilizing additional financing. By aligning financial resources with technical expertise and community engagement, Mission 300 is building a coalition capable of driving sustainable change at scale.
Mission 300 is not just an initiative; it is a movement—a call to action for all stakeholders to come together to power Africa’s future. The upcoming Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit represents a critical juncture in this journey, providing a platform to consolidate commitments, announce new partnerships, and drive momentum toward the 2030 goal. With strong leadership, robust partnerships, and a shared vision, Mission 300 has the potential to transform the future of Africa. Follow the conversation and join the mission for #PoweringAfrica.
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This feature story was initially published in The Africa Report
