Mission 300 Reaches 50 Million Electricity Connections Across Africa

Mission 300 has connected more than 50 million people to electricity across 40 African countries, marking a significant milestone in its ambition to provide power to 300 million people by 2030.

Led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), the initiative says the pace of electrification has nearly doubled since its launch in 2024. The programme supports investments across the electricity value chain, including generation, transmission, distribution and off-grid energy systems, to expand access for households, businesses and public institutions.

Several countries have recorded notable progress. Tanzania has connected 7.5 million people, increasing its annual electrification rate fivefold compared with previous years. Ethiopia has provided electricity access to 4.6 million people, supported by reforms that reduced the cost of grid connections and improved affordability.

Mission 300 combines government-led policy reforms with public and private investment to accelerate energy access. The World Bank Group and AfDB have committed nearly $15 billion to the programme, while mobilising approximately $4.5 billion in co-financing. Development partners have pledged a further $7 billion to support Africa’s energy sector.

The initiative also seeks to attract private capital through concessional finance, guarantees and grant funding that reduce investment risks in underserved markets. In Nigeria, private sector-led programmes have connected more than 4.5 million people, demonstrating the role of blended finance in expanding electricity access.

A key component of the programme is the rollout of National Energy Compacts—country-led strategies designed to strengthen power systems, expand renewable energy, improve regional integration and attract investment. Thirty compacts have already been launched, with additional agreements expected from Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Gabon, Rwanda and Uganda during this week’s Africa Energy Forum.

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said the milestone reflects both the speed of implementation and the strength of international partnerships supporting the initiative. AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah called for greater momentum, noting that improved electricity access would strengthen agriculture, healthcare and economic development across the continent.

Supported by organisations including The Rockefeller Foundation, Sustainable Energy for All and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Mission 300 aims to sustain investment and accelerate implementation as African countries work towards universal electricity access by 2030.