By Kizito CUDJOE
Thirty African heads of state and government have pledged reforms to expand electricity access, backed by more than US$50billion in commitments from global partners in a bid to tackle the continent’s energy deficit.
The commitments, announced at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Tanzania, form part of the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration which aims to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030.
The declaration is intended for submission to the African Union Summit in February for formal adoption.
Africa faces a severe energy shortfall, with over 600 million people lacking access to electricity. The newly secured funding, pledged by development banks and international partners, is hoped to drive investment in renewable energy, expand grid connections and improve power sector efficiency.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Summit said: “Tanzania is honoured to have hosted this summit, which brings together leaders to deliver on their commitment to power access and clean cooking solutions that will transform lives and economies”.
Major Financial Commitments: The summit saw a range of financial pledges to support the initiative:
- The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the World Bank Group will allocate US$48billion to Mission 300 through 2030.
- The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) pledged €1billion to support energy access in Africa.
- The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) committed between US$1billion and US$1.5billion.
- The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group allocated US$2.65billion for energy access between 2025 and 2030.
- The OPEC Fund committed US$1billion.
- The World Bank Group and AfDB launched Zafiri, an investment company aimed at supporting private-sector solutions such as renewable mini-grids and solar home systems, with up to US$300million in initial investment and a target of mobilising US$1billion.
Country-Specific Energy Plans
Twelve countries including Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia presented detailed National Energy Compacts, setting targets for electricity expansion, increased renewable energy adoption and private sector investment.
These country-specific plans are time-bound, rooted in data, endorsed at the highest level and focus on affordable power generation, expanding connections and regional integration. They aim to boost utility efficiency and expand clean cooking solutions.
Deploying satellite and electronic mapping technologies, these compacts identify the most cost-effective solutions for bringing electricity to underserved areas.
It was noted that implementing the National Energy Compacts will require political will, long-term vision and the full support of Mission 300 partners. Governments are paving the way through comprehensive reforms, complemented by increased concessional financing and strategic partnerships with philanthropies and development banks to catalyse increased private sector investment.
President-World Bank Group, Ajay Banga said: “Access to electricity is a fundamental human right. Without it, countries and people cannot thrive”.
To this end, he added: “Our mission to provide electricity for 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”.
Also, President-African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, emphasised the need for decisive action to accelerate electrification across the continent.
“Critical reforms will be needed to expand the share of renewables, improve utility performance, ensure transparency in licencing 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.”
The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit was hosted by Tanzania, the African Union, AfDB and World Bank Group. It had support from the Rockefeller Foundation, Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP), Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa.
