- African leaders pledge over $50 billion to provide electricity to 300 million people by 2030, focusing on renewable energy and expanding infrastructure.
- 90 million Nigerians live without electricity due to weak infrastructure, affecting healthcare, economic development, and daily life, especially in rural areas.
- AfDB, World Bank, and other partners commit billions to support Africa’s energy access, leveraging solar and mini-grid technologies for underserved regions.
As the world advances in artificial intelligence, about 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity. Recently, 30 African leaders gathered in Tanzania to address this issue, aiming to deliver electricity to 300 million people by 2030.
Energy access drives Africa’s economic growth. Without it, development goals remain out of reach. In many regions, outdated infrastructure fails to meet growing demands, especially in rural areas, where over 70% of the population lives without power. Many households rely on costly alternatives like diesel generators and kerosene lamps, which worsen living conditions and stifle business growth.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of people without power peaked at 612 million in 2013, with minimal progress. In 2021, 597 million people still lived without electricity, and rural areas faced the most significant challenges. The International Energy Agency (IEA) noted that Africa accounts for 83% of the global energy deficit.
Nigeria struggles with a particularly severe energy crisis. About 90 million Nigerians, or 45% of the population, live without electricity, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas. The country transmits less than 5,000 MW of electricity out of 13,000 MW generated, primarily due to failing infrastructure. This shortage impacts healthcare and economic development as rural clinics struggle to provide essential services without reliable power.
Leaders outlined plans to bridge Africa’s energy gap during the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam. They pledged over $50 billion to increase energy access across the continent. Countries like Nigeria, Chad, and Tanzania presented detailed national energy strategies to expand renewable energy and improve grids. These initiatives aim to enhance utility performance, boost private investment, and increase electricity connections.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the World Bank Group committed $48 billion to support Mission 300. Other partners, including the Islamic Development Bank and OPEC Fund, announced additional billions for energy access projects. The initiative focuses on leveraging Africa’s abundant renewable energy resources, as the continent holds over 60% of the world’s best solar potential.
AfDB President Dr Akinwumi Adesina highlighted the importance of electricity for development, saying, “No economy can grow or industrialise in the dark.” Mission 300 also focuses on deploying mini-grids and solar home systems to bring power to remote areas where grid extensions are not feasible.
Leaders emphasised the urgency of delivering results by 2030. Mission 300 aims to create a brighter future for Africa through reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.