African energy and finance ministers have convened at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to support an ambitious initiative aimed at providing universal electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.
The summit, attended by over 1,000 participants, showcased a collaboration of global and regional institutions united under Mission 300, a transformative partnership designed to address Africa’s electricity gap.
Key stakeholders included the African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank Group, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), the Rockefeller Foundation, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the African Union, and several regional development banks.
Dr. Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth, opened the summit’s high-level discussions, emphasizing the initiative’s urgency and scope.
“We shall provide fast and energy-efficient solutions to 300 million people across Africa.
“It is challenging, but cost-effective outcomes can drive development across the continent.”
Dr. Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth
Mission 300’s strategy combines innovative financing models with advanced energy technologies, targeting both grid and off-grid solutions.
It is particularly focused on addressing disparities in energy access across urban and rural areas while supporting the continent’s transition to cleaner, sustainable energy.
A panel discussion featuring ministers from South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia, Nigeria, and Kenya highlighted each country’s unique energy challenges and approaches to achieving universal electricity access.
Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa’s Minister of Electricity, underscored the importance of regional cooperation, affordability, and accessibility.
“Essentially, we see ourselves as a connection of countries through regional power pools,” Ramokgopa stated, adding that South Africa’s priorities include making electricity affordable and ensuring a just transition to clean energy.
Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, highlighted his country’s pivotal role in regional power trade.
“We exchange electricity with six countries and plan to double exports by 2030,” he noted. However, he raised concerns about non-payment for exported electricity, which poses significant challenges to sustainability.
Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, highlighted the role of private investment in Nigeria’s energy sector.
“Since regulating the sector, we’ve seen 150 mini-grids and over a million standalone solar connections,” Edun shared, comparing the potential growth of the energy sector to the telecommunications revolution that democratized mobile phones.
Role of the Private Sector and Development Partners
The summit emphasized the critical role of private sector participation and public-private partnerships. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, set the tone during the opening session:
“This is not a talking summit. We can do megawatts of talk all we want, but it’s going to be the megawatts of power we deliver that make this an action-driven summit.”
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group
He stressed the need for collective action, calling on heads of state, the private sector, multilateral development banks, and civil society to work together to make energy poverty history.
Mission 300 combines grid expansion with off-grid solutions to address Africa’s complex energy needs.
The initiative will also leverage Africa’s green mineral resources, such as lithium and cobalt, to support global energy transitions while creating local opportunities.
Participants emphasized that achieving universal access requires balancing immediate needs with long-term sustainability.
Innovative financing models, such as blended finance and results-based financing, were highlighted as key tools to attract investment while managing risks.
The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit marks a pivotal moment in the continent’s journey toward universal electricity access.
By fostering collaboration among governments, private investors, and development partners, the initiative offers a roadmap for addressing Africa’s energy challenges and unlocking its economic potential.
As the summit concludes, its outcomes are expected to drive tangible progress, ensuring that Africa’s energy sector becomes a cornerstone of sustainable development and regional integration.
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