Thirty African leaders have pledged to implement key reforms aimed at expanding electricity access, boosting economic growth, and improving living standards across the continent.
Their commitments, made on Tuesday, focus on providing reliable and affordable energy to millions currently without power.
The Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, introduced at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, marks a major step in tackling Africa’s energy deficit, where over 600 million people still lack electricity.
The initiative brings together governments, financial institutions, private investors, and philanthropic organizations to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. As part of the summit, stakeholders committed over $50 billion to accelerate energy expansion.
The Declaration is set to be presented at the upcoming African Union Summit in February for formal adoption.
With energy access being crucial for job creation and economic transformation, Mission 300 is positioned as a fundamental pillar in Africa’s development agenda, particularly for the growing youth population.
Twelve nations—Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia—unveiled their National Energy Compacts.
These strategic blueprints outline specific targets for electrification, increased renewable energy adoption, and attracting private investment. The plans, supported by data and national leadership, emphasize cost-effective power generation, infrastructure expansion, and regional collaboration.
In addition, they prioritize efficiency improvements for utilities and access to clean cooking solutions. Advanced satellite and digital mapping tools are being leveraged to identify optimal electrification strategies.
“Tanzania is honored to have hosted such a monumental summit to discuss how, as leaders, we will be able to deliver on our promise to our citizens to provide power and clean cooking solutions that will transform lives and economies,” said H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the Republic of Tanzania.
Carrying out these national energy plans will require sustained political commitment, visionary leadership, and the full backing of Mission 300’s global partners. Governments are advancing necessary policy reforms while leveraging concessional financing and forging partnerships with philanthropies and development banks to encourage private sector involvement.
“Access to electricity is a fundamental human right. Without it, countries and people cannot thrive,” said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group. “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.”
Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, stressed the urgency of accelerating electrification efforts. “Critical reforms will be needed to expand the share of renewables, improve utility performance, ensure transparency in licensing and power purchase agreements, and establish predictable tariff regimes that reflect production costs.
Our collective effort is to support you, heads of state and government, in developing and implementing clear, country-led national energy compacts to deliver on your visions for electricity in your respective countries.”
Several new financial commitments were announced at the summit:
• The African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group pledged $48 billion toward Mission 300 by 2030, with flexibility to adjust based on evolving needs.
• Agence Française de Dévelopment (AFD) committed €1 billion to enhance energy access in Africa.
• The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) announced $1 billion to $1.5 billion in funding support.
• The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group allocated $2.65 billion for energy expansion from 2025-2030.
• The OPEC Fund committed $1 billion to the initiative.
In addition, the World Bank and African Development Bank introduced Zafiri, an investment platform dedicated to expanding renewable mini-grids and solar home systems.
Zafiri’s initial funding phase will see anchor partners invest up to $300 million, with plans to mobilize $1 billion to address financing gaps in Africa’s energy sector.
The commitments made at the summit underscore the power of the Mission 300 initiative. Through a combination of policy reforms, increased funding, and collaboration between governments and private stakeholders, African nations are poised to transform their energy landscape, delivering tangible benefits to millions.
The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit was organized by the United Republic of Tanzania, the African Union, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), and the World Bank Group (WBG).
Additional support came from the Rockefeller Foundation, Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa.
