The World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group announced that their joint initiative “Mission 300” has connected over 50 million people to electricity in 40 African countries. This major milestone brings the continent closer to the ambitious goal of providing access to electricity to an additional 300 million people by 2030.
According to the two institutions, the pace of electrification has significantly accelerated since the launch of the program, with progress now nearly twice as fast as at the beginning of the initiative. This momentum is supported by investments covering the entire energy value chain – production, transmission, and distribution – accelerating both grid connections and off-grid solutions.
Concrete results in several African countries
In Tanzania, financing and reforms have enabled 7.5 million people to access electricity, increasing the annual electrification rate to a level five times higher than before the launch of Mission 300.
In Ethiopia, 4.6 million people have been connected through reforms that have made grid connections more accessible and affordable.
In Nigeria, over 4.5 million people have benefited from electricity through private sector-led initiatives, highlighting the crucial role of public-private partnerships in expanding energy access.
Financial mobilization of over $26 billion USD
The initiative is supported by significant financial mobilization. To date, the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank have committed nearly $15 billion USD, with an additional $4.5 billion USD in co-financing. Furthermore, other development partners have pledged over $7 billion USD to support the energy sector in Africa.
Unlike previous fragmented approaches, Mission 300 is based on enhanced coordination between governments, donors, and the private sector around a single program. This approach promotes deeper reforms, increased political commitment, and better resource mobilization.
The initiative combines public financing, grants, guarantees, and concessional loans to reduce risks for private investors, especially in areas where electrification was previously considered too costly or complex.
National roadmaps to structure action
To date, 30 African countries have launched “National Energy Compacts,” roadmaps aimed at strengthening electrical systems, developing renewable energies, improving regional integration, and increasing private sector participation.
Several countries, including Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Gabon, Rwanda, and Uganda, are expected to launch their compacts at the African Energy Forum in Cape Town.
A lever for economic and social development
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga hailed a “major” breakthrough, emphasizing that electricity is a key driver for employment, education, health, and economic growth.
African Development Bank Group President Sidi Ould Tah, on the other hand, believes that reaching the milestone of 50 million connected people should serve as a springboard to accelerate electrification, particularly in the agriculture, health, and social inclusion sectors.
Partners of the initiative, including the Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Alliance for Energy for All, and “Sustainable Energy for All,” have also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the program’s scaling up.
Launched in 2024, Mission 300 is a joint initiative of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, supported by a broad coalition of public, private, and philanthropic partners. It aims to accelerate universal access to electricity in Africa by 2030, transforming the financing and implementation models of energy projects on the continent.
