By Atoyebi Nike
Seventeen African governments have endorsed Mission 300, a joint initiative of the World Bank Group and African Development Bank to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030.
At the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, leaders from Benin, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Togo, and others adopted National Energy Compacts, reform blueprints to expand power access, attract investment, and strengthen utilities.
World Bank President Ajay Banga called electricity “the bedrock of jobs and growth,” while AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah said affordable power is vital for SMEs, digital work, and industry.
Since its launch, Mission 300 has already connected 30 million people, with more than 100 million in progress. The program is backed by partners including the Rockefeller Foundation and SEforALL, with significant co-financing and technical support.
