Currently, about 600 million Africans, half the continent’s population, lack access to electricity. To address this challenge, the Mission 300 Initiative, launched by the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and various partners, commits to providing electricity to 300 million people by 2030. This will involve increasing investments in infrastructure and ambitious policy reforms.

Promising vision

Mission 300 is more than just a numerical target: it is a program that transforms lives, energizes economies, and empowers communities.

The plan aims to accelerate electrification by extending electric grids with decentralized renewable energy solutions, such as mini-grids and home solar systems. These solutions effectively serve remote areas where traditional infrastructure is not viable.

These efforts are complemented by :

• Investments in production
• Transmission and regional interconnection
• Energy sector reform

The goal is to ensure that the electricity supply is reliable but also affordable and sustainable.

Energy partnerships and reforms

The success of Mission 300 relies on collaboration between governments, private sector actors, and international partners.

Governments must drive reforms to make the energy sector more efficient and public utilities more effective.

Competitive bidding for new production capacities and cost recovery mechanisms for public utilities will be crucial. Regulators need to demonstrate agility and innovation to adapt to rapid technological and commercial changes. Governments and development partners must strengthen regional electricity trade. This will facilitate the integration of variable renewable energies (VRE) and move away from the single-buyer model in weak grids.

African energy summit

The African Energy Summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, in Tanzania, will be a major turning point for the continent. Organized in partnership with the African Union, the AfDB, and the World Bank, it will bring together heads of state, energy experts, and private sector leaders to accelerate universal energy access in Africa.

During this summit, several African governments will unveil their national energy commitments, highlighting their short-term reforms and actions to achieve their energy goals. These agreements will include innovative strategies and partnerships aimed at ensuring reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy access.

The program will also promote international partnerships with institutions such as the Rockefeller Foundation, SEforALL, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), which will mobilize resources and expertise to support Mission 300.

The summit will emphasize new financial commitments and innovative initiatives, calling on African countries to intensify the mobilization of national resources to accelerate the deployment of green energy infrastructure.

Contribution of the private sector

Private sector participation is essential to addressing Africa’s energy challenges. With the rapid population growth and the need for increased investments, private companies play a key role in expanding access to renewable energies, particularly through decentralized solutions.

Multilateral development banks and philanthropic organizations must also step up their efforts to unlock private capital through:

• Targeted financing instruments
• Risk mitigation tools
• Technical assistance
• Policy Advocacy

The Technical Facilities Acceleration Fund is an important step in this direction, providing technical assistance to governments and streamlining processes to achieve the goals of Mission 300.