Seventeen African governments have pledged concrete reforms and action plans to expand electricity access as part of Mission 300—an ambitious initiative led by the World Bank and the African Development Bank Group to connect 300 million Africans to power by 2030.
In a statement on Wednesday, the World Bank announced that Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, and Togo endorsed National Energy Compacts at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum.
These compacts, described as policy blueprints, are designed to guide public spending, accelerate reforms, and attract private investment, while also serving as models for other regions.
Nigeria was not part of the latest signatories, having already joined earlier this year along with Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Collectively, these countries have pledged more than 400 policy actions to strengthen utilities, lower investor risks, and eliminate bottlenecks.
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga emphasized the broader vision of Mission 300:
“Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth. Mission 300 is more than a target; it is forging enduring reforms that slash costs, strengthen utilities, and draw in private investment.”
Since its launch, Mission 300 has already connected 30 million people to power, with over 100 million more in the pipeline.
African Development Bank President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah stressed electricity’s role as a growth catalyst:
“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 paycheck.”
National Energy Compacts, tailored to each country’s context, focus on three pillars: infrastructure, financing, and policy. The World Bank and AfDB are partnering with organizations such as the Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Sustainable Energy for All, and the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program to align resources and drive implementation.
Several African leaders also highlighted the transformative role of energy access:
- President Duma Boko of Botswana: “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.”
- President Paul Biya of Cameroon: “Through its Energy Compact, Cameroon is committed to a determined transition towards renewable energy, inclusive access, and ambitious reforms to build a low-carbon future.”
- President Azali Assoumani of Comoros: “The Comoros Energy Compact is a call for collective action to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, ensuring dignity, equity, and shared progress.”
- President Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia: “Our compact reflects Ethiopia’s commitment to universal, affordable, and sustainable energy access, unlocking renewable resources and fostering inclusive growth across Africa.”
With these commitments, Mission 300 is advancing Africa’s collective goal of ending energy poverty and building a resilient, equitable, and sustainable energy future.
