In a significant move to address energy poverty across the continent, African leaders convened at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on January 27-28, 2025. The summit, hosted by the Government of Tanzania in collaboration with the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank Group, aimed to strategize on providing electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.
High-Level Participation
The summit witnessed the participation of several African heads of state, including President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, King Letsie III of Lesotho, President Ismail Guelleh of Djibouti, President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville, President Azali Assoumani of Comoros, President Andry Nirina Rajoelina of Madagascar, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, and President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, among others.
Nigeria’s Commitment to Energy Access
Representing Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed the nation’s dedication to achieving universal energy access by 2030. In his address, delivered by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of reliable and affordable energy for economic growth and development. He stated, “Let us work together to create a brighter future for our citizens—where every African can access reliable and affordable energy. A future where our industries thrive, our economies grow, and our people prosper.”
Strategic Partnerships and Investments
President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing collaborations with international development partners to enhance the nation’s energy infrastructure. He acknowledged the African Development Bank’s $1.1 billion initiative, expected to provide electricity to 5 million Nigerians by the end of 2026, and the $200 million Nigeria Electrification Project, aiming to supply power to 500,000 people by the end of 2025. Additionally, he mentioned the AfDB’s planned $700 million investment in the Nigeria Desert to Power program and a $500 million facility for the Nigeria-Grid Battery Energy Storage System, projected to benefit an additional 2 million people.
Furthermore, President Tinubu noted the World Bank’s $750 million support to expand Nigeria’s distributed energy access through mini-grids and standalone solar systems, aiming to provide power to 16.2 million people. He emphasized the significance of these investments in bolstering Nigeria’s energy sector and ensuring sustainable development.
The Dar es Salaam Declaration
A pivotal outcome of the summit was the adoption of the Dar es Salaam Declaration, wherein leaders from twelve African countries, including Nigeria, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia, committed to ensuring electricity access for their citizens within the next five years. These nations plan to achieve this through National Energy Compacts, which outline specific policy measures to address constraints across their energy sectors and set targets based on their unique contexts.
Global Support and Financial Commitments
The Mission 300 initiative has garnered substantial support from international financial institutions. The World Bank has pledged to invest between $30 to $40 billion, while the African Development Bank plans to contribute $10 to $15 billion towards expanding and rehabilitating electricity grids across Africa. These investments aim to attract private sector participation and mobilize additional resources to achieve the ambitious goal of connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
In addition to these commitments, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have pledged up to $6.15 billion to support Africa’s electrification efforts. The IsDB will provide $2.65 billion in project financing and an additional $2 billion for insuring power projects, while the AIIB will contribute between $1 to $1.5 billion in financing. These contributions further bolster the financial foundation of the Mission 300 initiative.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite these significant commitments, Africa faces considerable challenges in achieving universal electricity access. The continent currently has the highest number of people without access to electricity globally, with approximately 600 million individuals lacking power. Addressing this deficit requires not only substantial financial investments but also comprehensive policy reforms, infrastructure development, and the integration of renewable energy sources.
The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit underscored the need for African nations to implement reforms in their electricity sectors to attract investors and facilitate the expansion of power infrastructure. Countries such as Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, and Tanzania have committed to enhancing their utilities, integrating renewable energy, and increasing national electricity connection targets. These efforts are crucial for creating an enabling environment that encourages private sector participation and ensures the sustainability of energy projects.
Conclusion
The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam marked a significant milestone in Africa’s journey towards universal electricity access. The collective commitments from African leaders, coupled with substantial support from international development partners, signal a renewed determination to tackle energy poverty and foster sustainable development across the continent. As nations work towards the ambitious goal of electrifying 300 million Africans by 2030, continued collaboration, investment, and policy reforms will be essential to turn this vision into reality.
