DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA – Thirty African Heads of State and Government convened at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, reaffirming their commitment to expanding reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity access across the continent. The summit, held in Dar es Salaam, secured a pledge of over $50 billion from global partners to accelerate energy access, drive economic growth, and create jobs.
Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration: A Landmark Commitment
The summit’s key outcome, the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, highlights Africa’s urgent energy needs, with over 600 million people still lacking electricity. The declaration is a pivotal step in the Mission 300 initiative, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. It will be submitted for adoption at the African Union Summit in February.
This initiative is also crucial for addressing Africa’s growing youth population by fostering job creation and economic opportunities. It prioritizes renewable energy expansion, electricity access, and private-sector investment, laying the foundation for a more sustainable future.
National Energy Compacts: Country-Specific Strategies
Twelve countries—Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia—presented National Energy Compacts outlining their strategies to scale up electricity access. These plans focus on:
- Expanding renewable energy generation
- Increasing affordable electricity connections
- Strengthening regional energy integration
- Leveraging satellite and electronic mapping technologies for cost-effective infrastructure planning
Global Financial Commitments to Mission 300
International partners pledged significant funding to support Africa’s energy transition:
- African Development Bank Group & World Bank Group: $48 billion by 2030
- Agence Française de Développement (AFD): €1 billion for energy access
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): $1-1.5 billion
- Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group: $2.65 billion (2025-2030)
- OPEC Fund: Initial $1 billion, with more financing to follow
Additionally, the Zafiri investment company was launched by the World Bank Group and African Development Bank to drive private-sector-led energy solutions. With an initial $300 million investment, it aims to bridge the equity gap in Africa’s renewable energy market.
Leadership Voices on Africa’s Energy Future
Tanzanian President H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed pride in hosting the summit and emphasized Tanzania’s commitment to power expansion and clean cooking solutions to transform lives and economies.
Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, called for urgent reforms, including increasing renewable energy capacity, improving utility performance, and establishing transparent power purchase agreements.
Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, underscored that access to electricity is a fundamental human right, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between governments, businesses, and development banks to bridge Africa’s energy gap.
A Future Powered by Partnerships and Innovation
The commitments made at the Mission 300 Summit mark a significant step in tackling Africa’s energy deficit. Through policy reforms, financing, and public-private partnerships, African nations are positioned to deliver tangible energy solutions that will empower millions and drive sustainable development across the continent.
