Imagine an entire continent where half the population lives off-grid. That is exactly what’s happening today in Sub-Saharan Africa, where, according to World Bank estimates, 600 million people lack reliable electricity. This severe energy poverty forces communities to rely on inefficient and hazardous alternatives like firewood, charcoal, and polluting generators for basic needs, perpetuating health risks, and environmental damage. The scale of this challenge demands urgent, coordinated action to unlock Africa’s development potential.
This is why the World Bank, in response, launched Mission 300 during its 2024 Spring Meetings, an ambitious initiative aimed at providing electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030. The program features a joint commitment of 250 million connections from the World Bank and 50 million from the African Development Bank, creating a comprehensive framework for energy access expansion. This collaborative effort brings together key partners including Sustainable Energy for All, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Rockefeller Foundation, and various private sector actors combining resources and expertise.
Mission 300 represents a transformative opportunity to address Africa’s energy crisis through innovative financing, policy reform, and technology deployment. The initiative can catalyze sustainable development by bridging the electricity gap for half of the currently underserved population, while advancing climate goals.
Mission 300’s success rests on three critical pillars working in unison. First, development partners mobilising substantial financial resources and technical expertise. Second, Governments committing to meaningful energy sector reforms, which includes modernising regulatory frameworks, improving utility governance, and creating enabling environments for investment. Without these policy improvements, even substantial funding will fail to deliver sustainable electrification at the required scale and pace. Finally, private sector engagement is essential to drive innovation and efficiency. Businesses can invest confidently across the energy value chain - from generation to transmission to last-mile distribution encouraged by both development funding and government reforms. Only through this three-way collaboration can Mission 300 achieve its transformative potential and bring power to 300 million Africans.
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