By Ebi Kesiena
The World Bank Group has committed $8.2 billion to expand electricity access across Sub-Saharan Africa, targeting one of the region’s most persistent development challenges, with nearly 600 million people still without power.
The funding anchors “Mission 300,” a joint initiative with the African Development Bank Group aimed at connecting 300 million people to electricity by 2030. Under the framework, the World Bank is expected to deliver 250 million connections, while the AfDB will provide the remaining 50 million.
According to the report, the initiative is supported by a blend of public and private financing, which has already attracted an additional $1.2 billion. Projects are currently advancing across more than 40 countries, with over 150 programmes underway.
Despite incremental gains in recent years, the World Bank noted that limited electricity access continues to constrain economic growth across the region. The lack of reliable power supply hampers healthcare delivery, reduces agricultural productivity, and drives up operating costs for businesses, weakening job creation and industrial expansion.
The programme is designed not only to widen access but also to catalyse broader economic transformation. It aims to link improved electricity supply to job creation, digital connectivity, and industrial development.
“Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth,” said 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.”
At the centre of the initiative are National Energy Compacts, country-led reform frameworks intended to unlock investment, enhance utility performance, and align national policies with long-term energy goals. The programme also prioritises scaling private sector participation through competitive procurement, regional power integration, and de-risking mechanisms.
The report noted that the push comes amid intensified collaboration among development finance institutions to close Africa’s energy gap, widely regarded as a major barrier to inclusive growth. Improved electricity access is expected to boost small and medium enterprises, agro-processing, manufacturing, and digital services. key sectors for job creation across the continent.
“Reliable, affordable power is the fastest multiplier for small and medium enterprises, agro-processing, digital work, and industrial value-addition, give a young entrepreneur power, and you’ve given them a pay cheque.”
