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Mission 300 has connected more than 50 million people to electricity across 40 African countries, advancing efforts to expand energy access on the continent.
The milestone was announced jointly by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group on Tuesday.
The initiative aims to provide electricity access to an additional 300 million Africans by 2030.
According to the partners, Mission 300 is delivering electricity access at nearly twice the pace recorded when the programme was launched in 2024.
They attributed the progress to coordinated investments across electricity generation, transmission and distribution networks.
The programme has expanded both grid and off-grid electricity access, benefiting households, businesses and public institutions.
In Tanzania, about 7.5 million people gained electricity access under the initiative.
The figure represents a five-fold increase in annual electrification rates recorded before Mission 300.
In Ethiopia, 4.6 million people have been connected to electricity through reforms that reduced the cost of grid connections.
The partners said the initiative aligns governments, development agencies and private investors under a common electrification agenda.
They noted that stronger political commitment and policy reforms have accelerated project implementation across participating countries.
The African Development Bank and World Bank have committed nearly 15 billion dollars to Mission 300 projects.
They have also mobilised about 4.5 billion dollars in co-financing from development partners and investors.
Additional partners have pledged more than seven billion dollars to support Africa’s energy sector.
Mission 300 also seeks to attract private investment into African energy markets through risk-sharing mechanisms.
These include grants, guarantees and concessional financing aimed at supporting projects in underserved communities.
In Nigeria, more than 4.5 million people have gained electricity access through private sector-led interventions.
The initiative said the achievement demonstrated the effectiveness of public support and partner financing.
So far, 30 African countries have launched National Energy Compacts under the programme.
The compacts are designed to strengthen energy systems and expand affordable electricity access.
They also promote renewable energy development, regional integration and private sector participation.
Six additional countries are expected to launch their compacts during the Africa Energy Forum.
The countries include Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Gabon, Rwanda and Uganda.
President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, described the achievement as evidence of successful partnerships.
Banga said electricity access supports jobs, businesses, healthcare, education and economic opportunities.
President of the African Development Bank Group, Sidi Ould Tah, called for accelerated efforts toward the 2030 target.
Tah said improved electricity access would enhance food security, healthcare delivery and economic empowerment.
He urged governments, development partners and investors to intensify support for the initiative.
President of The Rockefeller Foundation, Rajiv J. Shah, said the milestone demonstrated the impact of African-led investments.
He noted that the foundation and its partners had committed more than 100 million dollars to Mission 300.
Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All, Damilola Ogunbiyi, said the results reflected strong commitment by African governments.
Ogunbiyi pledged continued support for implementing National Energy Compacts and achieving universal energy access.
Chief Executive Officer of Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Woochong Um, described Mission 300 as critical to Africa’s economic growth.
Um said expanded electricity access would help create jobs and support the continent’s growing youth population.
Mission 300 was launched in 2024 by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group.
The initiative is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Sustainable Energy for All and other partners.
F.O
Tags: AfDB Mission 300