Africa’s Mission 300 Hits 50 Million Electricity Access Milestone

The World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group have announced that Mission 300 has achieved a significant milestone by providing electricity access to more than 50 million people across 40 African nations. The accomplishment marks substantial progress toward the initiative’s objective of connecting 300 million people to electricity by 2030.

Since its launch, Mission 300 has accelerated electrification efforts, delivering new connections at nearly twice the rate seen before the program began. Through investments spanning the entire energy ecosystem—including power generation, transmission infrastructure, and last-mile distribution—the initiative has expanded both grid-based and off-grid electricity access for homes, businesses, and public institutions.

Tanzania has emerged as one of the standout examples of this progress. Under Mission 300, approximately 7.5 million people have gained electricity access, representing a fivefold increase compared to the country's previous average annual electrification rate. This advancement has been supported by increased funding and stronger policy commitments. Ethiopia has also made significant strides, connecting 4.6 million people through reforms designed to lower the cost of joining the national grid.

Unlike earlier programs that often operated independently, Mission 300 brings together governments, development partners, and private investors under a unified framework. This collaborative model has strengthened political commitment, encouraged policy reforms, and mobilized resources more effectively, helping countries accelerate electrification efforts and deliver measurable results.

To date, the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group have allocated close to $15 billion in funding to Mission 300-related initiatives. These investments have also leveraged roughly $4.5 billion in co-financing, while additional development partners have pledged more than $7 billion to support Africa’s broader energy development goals.

The initiative is also reshaping the investment landscape for private-sector participation in Africa’s energy markets. By combining policy reforms with layered public financing instruments such as grants, guarantees, and concessional financing, Mission 300 helps reduce investment risks and encourages private companies to serve communities that were previously considered commercially challenging.

Nigeria provides a strong example of this approach in action, with more than 4.5 million people gaining access to electricity through private-sector-led projects. The success demonstrates how targeted public support and strategic financing can help establish sustainable and commercially viable energy markets.

Mission 300 has also supported the development of National Energy Compacts in 30 countries. These country-driven plans focus on strengthening energy infrastructure, increasing affordable power generation, expanding renewable energy deployment, encouraging regional energy integration, and boosting private-sector engagement. Additional compacts are expected to be unveiled by Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Gabon, Rwanda, and Uganda during this week's Africa Energy Forum.

Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, described the achievement as more than a numerical milestone, emphasizing that the rapid progress and collaborative partnerships behind Mission 300 are equally important. He noted that the initiative is enabling countries to connect more people at a faster pace while establishing a foundation for long-term development. According to Banga, access to electricity serves as a catalyst for employment, business growth, healthcare, education, and broader economic opportunity.

Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group, praised the achievement while stressing the need to maintain momentum. He highlighted the role of reliable electricity in improving agricultural productivity through affordable irrigation, enhancing healthcare through better medicine storage, and promoting inclusive economic and social development. Tah urged governments, development partners, private-sector stakeholders, and other supporters of Mission 300 to intensify their efforts to achieve the goal of connecting 300 million people by 2030.

Development partners have also welcomed the progress. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, stated that the milestone demonstrates how ambitious, African-led initiatives can achieve large-scale results when supported by strong partnerships and investment. He noted that The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance have committed more than $100 million to Mission 300, recognizing the transformative impact that electricity access can have on employment, education, and quality of life.

Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All, said the achievement shows that Mission 300 is translating ambition into tangible outcomes. She credited African governments for their leadership and implementation efforts and reaffirmed her organization’s commitment to supporting National Energy Compacts and advancing universal energy access.

Woochong Um, CEO of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, emphasized that the achievement demonstrates the power of coordinated action among governments, private investors, and philanthropic organizations. He described Mission 300 as a key driver of future economic growth, particularly as Africa’s workforce continues to expand.

Established in 2024, Mission 300 is a collaborative initiative led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group. It is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Sustainable Energy for All, as well as a broad network of governments, development organizations, and private-sector partners working together to expand energy access across Africa.