- The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet have committed over $100 million to support Mission 300.
- The initiative aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030 while accelerating clean energy investments and reforms.
The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) have committed over $100 million to support Mission 300. The initiative aims to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030.
Mission 300 is led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The partners announced the funding at the Powering Africa Summit. The commitment has grown significantly since its initial $10 million launch in September 2024. Since then, partners have expanded technical support, mobilised private investment, and accelerated project development across nearly two dozen countries.
Speaking at the event, Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv J. Shah highlighted the scale of the effort. He said the initiative now represents the foundation’s largest-ever investment in electricity access. He said, “Our joint commitment has grown more than tenfold to US$100 million.” He added that expanding electricity access remains a key pathway to reducing poverty.
Dr Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, emphasised the importance of catalytic funding. He said, “Mission 300 is fundamentally about delivery. Partners such as the Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance strengthen government capacity, de-risk investments, and accelerate projects that mobilize larger flows of public and private finance.”
Globally, about 730 million people still lack access to electricity. Notably, 85 percent of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. This gap continues to limit development across key sectors. It affects healthcare, education, job creation, and digital inclusion.
Woochong Um, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Energy Alliance, said the initiative focuses on long-term impact. He stressed the importance of linking electricity access to economic opportunity. Furthermore, he said, “Reliable, affordable electricity is essential for jobs, prosperity, and resilience. Our focus is ensuring new electricity connections translate into durable economic opportunity for people and communities across Africa.”
Mission 300 operates through a broad partnership. It includes the World Bank, African Development Bank, Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance, and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). The programme delivers reforms and investments through National Energy Compacts. It also supports technical assistance and private sector participation.
So far, the $100 million commitment has supported 23 countries. These include Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia. Key interventions include technical support for Delivery and Monitoring Units. The programme has also funded 18 Mission 300 Fellowships to accelerate electrification.
In addition, partners have launched the Clean Cooking Accelerator Initiative in Kenya. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on polluting fuels such as charcoal and firewood. In addition, the programme has also expanded the Productive Use Financing Facility. This supports energy-efficient equipment for small businesses and farmers.
Furthermore, Mission 300 supports research and workforce development.
The initiative has invested in Zafiri, a permanent capital fund that provides patient equity for distributed renewable energy projects. It also introduced a flexible technical assistance facility for rapid deployment of philanthropic funding. At the same time, efforts continue to support an investment-friendly environment through platforms such as the Acumen Hardest to Reach Fund, DARES, and the African Development Bank’s SEFA. Strategic guidance is provided by the Alliance’s Global Leadership Council, co-chaired by Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Dr Shah.
Since its April 2024 launch, Mission 300 has connected about 44 million people to electricity, with tens of millions more expected by 2026. Additionally, 30 countries have implemented National Energy Compacts, setting clear targets and investment priorities for expanding energy access across Africa.