- AfDB has approved a $3.9 million technical assistance project to help African countries implement their National Energy Compacts under Mission 300.
- The initiative will support 13 countries, including Nigeria, to translate energy plans into real electricity connections.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a new $3.9 million technical assistance project. The project will run for two years. It will help African countries implement their National Energy Compacts under Mission 300.
Mission 300 is a joint initiative of the African Development Bank and the World Bank Group. The programme also aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
Energy Compacts are national plans developed by governments. These plans explain how countries will expand electricity access, strengthen power sectors and attract investment. Over the past year, many African countries have launched these compacts. Development partners have backed them with strong financial and political support.
Meanwhile, the new project is called AESTAP Mission 300 Phase II. It will provide direct technical support to 13 countries over the next 24 months. The goal is to move countries from policy planning to real electricity connections for homes, schools, hospitals and businesses.
The beneficiary countries include Chad, Gabon, Tanzania, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Malawi, Lesotho, Namibia and Uganda.
In practical terms, the project will support several priority actions. First, it will help governments improve electricity regulations, planning frameworks and tariff systems. This will also help unlock investment and accelerate project delivery.
Second, the project will strengthen national utilities. This will help them deliver more reliable electricity and reduce technical and commercial losses.
Third, the project will improve data systems, research and knowledge sharing. It will support tools such as the Electricity Regulatory Index and regional energy forums.
In addition, the project will place expert advisers inside Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units. These experts will help governments coordinate reforms and track implementation progress.
According to Wale Shonibare, Director of Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulation at the African Development Bank, countries have already made strong commitments through their energy compacts. Additionally, he said the new phase will help translate those commitments into real electricity access for households, businesses and communities.
Furthermore, the project builds on AESTAP Mission 300 Phase I. The Bank approved Phase I in December 2025. Phase I provided about $1 million in support. It also helped countries establish Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units inside government structures.
Phase I focused on building delivery capacity. It also supported staff training, monitoring systems and early implementation planning. Phase II will now focus on executing planned reforms and scaling implementation.
The Bank will implement the project in coordination with other Mission 300 partners. These partners include the World Bank, national governments and development organisations. The coordination aims to ensure faster and more effective electricity access delivery across participating countries.