Seventeen African governments have formally committed to reforms and concrete plans aimed at expanding electricity access as part of Mission 300, an ambitious initiative led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group to connect 300 million Africans to power by 2030.
At the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, National Energy Compacts, practical roadmaps designed to guide public spending, spur reforms, and attract private investment, were endorsed by Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, the Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Principe, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
“Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “That’s why Mission 300 is more than a target, it is forging enduring reforms that slash costs, strengthen utilities, and draw in private investment.”
Since the program’s launch, 30 million people have already been connected, with more than 100 million connections in the pipeline.
“Reliable, affordable power is the fastest multiplier for small and medium enterprises, agro-processing, digital work, and industrial value-addition,” added African Development Bank Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah. “Give a young entrepreneur power, and you’ve given them a paycheck.”
The National Energy Compacts sit at the heart of Mission 300. Developed and endorsed by governments with technical backing from development partners, the compacts are tailored to each country and integrate three key tracks, infrastructure, financing, and policy.
Earlier this year, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia also endorsed compacts, collectively committing to more than 400 policy measures aimed at strengthening utilities, lowering investor risk, and clearing bottlenecks.
The World Bank Group and African Development Bank Group are working alongside partners such as the Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) trust fund, while additional development partners and finance institutions are co-financing projects and offering technical assistance under Mission 300.
Several African leaders emphasized their commitments during the forum. Botswana’s President Duma Boko said, “This National Compact is our shared pledge to ensure accessible, reliable and affordable energy as a basic human need, to transform our economy and create jobs, and to electrify our journey to an inclusive high-income country.”
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya stressed, “The government of the Republic of Cameroon is committed, through its Energy Compact, to a determined transition towards renewable energies, promoting inclusive universal access and sustainable development based on partnerships and ambitious reforms to build a low-carbon future.”
Comoros President Azali Assoumani declared, “The Comoros Energy Compact is a call for collective action to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030, in order to ensure the country’s emergence in dignity, equity, and shared progress.”
President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo noted, “In addition to abundant sunlight and gas resources capable of generating more electricity, the Republic of Congo has a certified hydroelectric potential of nearly 27,000 MW and more than 100,000 MW currently under study.
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The Energy Compact will enable Congo to achieve universal access to electricity, supply industries in special economic and mining zones, and export surplus energy to other countries. Harnessing this renewable and sustainable energy will cover more than one-third of Africa’s electricity needs.
Since Congo has liberalized the electricity sector, investors are invited, within the framework of Mission 300, to establish themselves and engage in profitable and sustainable business.”
Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske Selassie highlighted, “Our National Energy Compact exemplifies Ethiopia’s unwavering dedication to ensuring universal, affordable, and sustainable energy access for all. By unlocking our vast renewable resources, strengthening regional interconnections, we aim to foster inclusive growth domestically and propel Africa’s collective momentum toward ending energy poverty. Together, we are committed to building a resilient, equitable, and sustainable energy future for generations to come.”
The Gambia’s President Adama Barrow affirmed, “The Gambia’s Energy Compact reaffirms our commitment to universal electricity access by 2030, scaling renewables, strengthening infrastructure, integrating the private sector and improving sector governance. Through partnerships, it aims to transform power supply – ensuring reliability, affordability, and sustainability for all citizens.”
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama said, “Ghana believes universal energy access is key to empowering businesses, reducing poverty, and creating equal opportunities. This goal can only be achieved through strong government–private sector partnerships, supported by an enabling environment for sustainable investment.”
Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya added, “The Republic of Guinea reaffirms its commitment to guaranteeing, by 2030, universal access to reliable, clean, and affordable electricity, while providing sufficient capacity to support national industrialization, particularly in the mining sector, through a transparent and constructive partnership with the private sector.”
Kenya’s President William Ruto noted, “Energy is a key enabler under the infrastructure component of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
The Energy Compact anchors our commitment to achieve universal access to electricity and clean cooking and transition our grid to full reliance on clean energy by 2030.”
Lesotho’s Prime Minister Sam Matekane said, “Mountain winds blow, waters flow, the sun shines brightest, Lesotho, the kingdom in the sky. Universal access to renewable energy is our proud imperative.
Experience elevation with agility and scale. Be part of our journey and pride. Invest in Lesotho.”
Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo stated, “Mozambique is on track to achieve Mission 300 targets and consolidate our role as a regional powerhouse through export of our abundant, affordable and clean energy.
We welcome support from partners to achieve universal access, promote economic growth and green industrialization, and increase regional trade and integration.”
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio remarked, “Our M300 Compact is the most ambitious and comprehensive energy infrastructure initiative ever developed for Sierra Leone.
Powered by evidence-based solutions and data, this single plan for Sierra Leone’s energy transformation holds the greatest promise for unlocking sustainable and inclusive development for our people.”
Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé pledged, “We guarantee reliable, affordable and clean electricity for all, and access to clean cooking.
This Compact massively mobilizes the private sector to accelerate our industrialization and make Togo a competitive energy hub.”
São Tomé and Principe’s Prime Minister Américo d’Oliveira dos Ramos explained, “Our Compact provides a forward-thinking framework to fuel a sustainable and inclusive model of economic growth for Saotomeans.
We are enacting strong reforms and developing innovative business models to raise US$190 million from the private sector to finance this objective.”
Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Edouard Bizimana concluded, “The Republic of Burundi has set ambitious targets for access to electricity and clean cooking to improve the economic and social development of its population. Private sector participation is crucial to achieving these goals.”
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Image Credit: African Development Bank Group
