Browsing: Mission 300

Mission 300 renewable energy in Africa
  • Denmark, the UK, Spain and France have announced their contributions to the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa.
  • Another new donor–Japan–joined in December 2024 with a $5M contribution.
  • Also joining the list of donors is SEFA, which is a multi-donor Special Fund that provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments.

The race to light up millions of homes in Africa under Mission 300 initiative has received a shot in the arm after a number of countries including Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain and France have announced their contributions to the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa. Another new donor–Japan–joined in December 2024 with a $5 million contribution under AGIA.

Also joining the list of donors is SEFA, which is a multi-donor Special Fund that provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

SEFA aims to contribute to universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, …

Mission 300
  • Mission 300 will invest in new and rehabilitation of generation capacity, transmission systems, including intra- and regional interconnections, as well as distribution grids to build robust and reliable power systems.
  • It will be complemented by reforms in the energy sector to ensure affordability and sustainability of electricity service, and financially viable utilities.

Across Africa, nearly 600 million people live in energy poverty, deprived of reliable access to electricity—a fundamental prerequisite for modern life. This staggering statistic represents more than just a lack of power.  Significantly, it translates to limited opportunities for education, healthcare, gender equality, and economic growth.

Mission 300, a bold initiative championed by the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group in collaboration with key partners, seeks to change this narrative by providing first time electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.  A key milestone in this effort, branded Mission 300, is the Africa …

Mission 300
  • Mission 300 aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, addressing the continent’s significant energy deficit and driving transformative development.
  • The initiative banks on partnerships, innovative financing, and renewable energy projects like mini-grids and solar plants to overcome infrastructure and policy challenges.
  • Success hinges on bold reforms, private sector investment, and collaborative action to reshape Africa’s energy future.

Africa’s energy landscape has long been a tale of untapped potential, innovation, and persistent challenges. With over 600 million people lacking access to electricity—representing 83 per cent of the world’s energy-deprived population—the continent’s policymakers face a monumental task in lighting up its future.

Enter Mission 300, an ambitious initiative spearheaded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank Group, and a coalition of global partners. Mission 300 aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. But can this initiative finally brighten Africa’s energy horizon? Let’s explore.

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energy access in Africa
  • At the current pace of electrification amid rising population, the number of people without electricity in Africa will remain unchanged unless bold action is rolled out.
  • In response to this urgent need, the AfDB Group, the World Bank, and other partners have launched Mission 300, a plan that aims to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.
  • The plan focuses on accelerating electrification through a mix of grid extensions and distributed renewable energy solutions, such as mini-grids and stand-alone solar home systems.

Across Africa, the sunlight shines bright and natural resources abound. Yet despite that lies a pressing issue that threatens to stifle the continent’s growth and prosperity: the lack of access to reliable and sustainable electricity. As we prepare for the Africa Energy Summit, taking place on January 27-28, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the urgency of addressing Africa’s energy needs cannot be overstated.

Without …