To expand access to reliable and affordable electricity across the continent, 30 African heads of state and governments have pledged to implement reforms. The commitments, made at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, are part of efforts to address Africa’s energy deficit where more than 600 million people remain without electricity.

The Mission 300 initiative aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. During the summit, partners pledged over US$50 billion (R936,5 billion) in financing to support energy access expansion. “Access to electricity is a fundamental human right. Without it, countries and people cannot thrive. Our mission to provide electricity to half of the 600 million people in Africa without access is a critical first step. To succeed, we must embrace a simple truth: no one can do it alone. Governments, businesses, philanthropies and development banks each have a role – and only through collaboration can we achieve our goal,” said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group.

A total of 12 countries – Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia – presented National Energy Compacts outlining targets for electricity access, renewable energy adoption and private-sector investment. The country-specific plans include measures to improve utility efficiency, expand grid connections and integrate regional energy markets. The plans also incorporate satellite and electronic mapping technologies to identify cost-effective electrification solutions.

According to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country is prioritising grid expansion and off-grid solutions to ensure rural communities are not left behind. “Electricity is the backbone of industrialisation and economic development. Our compact focuses on increasing connections, improving reliability and ensuring that no Tanzanian is left in the dark.”

Financial commitments

Governments have committed to regulatory and structural reforms to facilitate investment with concessional financing from development banks expected to play a role in de-risking private-sector participation. The World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group have announced the launch of Zafiri: an investment vehicle focused on supporting private sector-led energy solutions such as renewable mini-grids and solar home systems. The initiative aims to mobilise up to US$1 billion (R18,73 billion) with an initial US$300 million (R5,62 billion) investment from anchor partners.

Other financial commitments announced at the summit include:

• US$48 million (R899 million) from the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group
• €1 billion (R19,37 billion) from Agence Française de Développement
• US$1 billion to US$1,5 billion (R18,73 billion to R28,1 billion) from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
• US$2,65 billion (R49,6 billion) from the Islamic Development Bank Group
• US$1 billion (R18,73 billion) from the OPEC Fund

“To deliver universal electricity access, we must go beyond pledges and focus on execution. This requires the right policies, financial models and willingness to scale up investments in grid and off-grid solutions,” said Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group.

Stakeholders stressed that the success of the National Energy Compacts will depend on political will, long-term policy vision and the ability to attract private investment. Governments and funding partners emphasised the need for coordinated action to expand electricity access while ensuring affordability and financial sustainability.