African leaders gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on January 27-28, 2025, for the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, a landmark event aimed at addressing the continent’s critical electricity access gap.
With nearly 600 million Africans currently lacking reliable electricity, this summit brought together heads of state, business leaders, and development partners to commit to providing electricity to 300 million people by 2030. Key Outcomes of the Summit
- Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration: The summit resulted in the adoption of the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, which outlines commitments from African governments to implement reforms necessary for expanding energy access. This declaration serves as a roadmap for future actions and collaborations.
- National Energy Compacts: Leaders from 12 African countries presented their National Energy Compacts during the summit. These compacts detail specific targets and timelines for implementing energy reforms tailored to each nation’s unique context. Countries involved include Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia.
- Financial Commitments: Significant financial pledges were made to support these initiatives. The Islamic Development Bank Group committed $4.65 billion to expand energy access across Africa. Additionally, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank Group announced a combined commitment of $40 billion to support Mission 300 projects.
- Focus on Renewable Energy: Discussions emphasized the importance of renewable energy solutions in achieving these ambitious goals. The summit highlighted how sustainable energy sources can drive economic growth and improve living standards across the continent.
Implications for Africa
The commitments made during the Mission 300 summit mark a pivotal moment in Africa’s journey toward universal energy access.
As African nations work together to implement the strategies outlined in the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration and their respective National Energy Compacts, there is optimism that these efforts will significantly reduce the electricity access deficit that has long hindered economic growth and development in the region. Conclusion
The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit represents a crucial step forward in addressing one of Africa’s most pressing challenges: access to reliable and affordable electricity.