African and global leaders will gather in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, next week to launch Mission 300 (M300), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
The project, spearheaded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank Group, represents an unprecedented partnership with global stakeholders. It seeks to bridge Africa’s energy gap by combining innovative technology, financing solutions, and strategic reforms.
With nearly 600 million Africans still without electricity—83% of the world’s energy-deprived population—Mission 300 aims to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy access. The initiative aligns with broader goals to support industrial growth and regional integration.
The Dar es Salaam Energy Summit, scheduled for January 27-28, will convene African heads of state, global leaders, private sector representatives, and over 1,500 participants to outline energy sector reforms and introduce National Energy Compacts. These blueprints will detail country-specific strategies to improve energy access in 12 nations, including Nigeria, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Senegal.
“This partnership is a game changer for Africa’s development,” said AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, emphasizing the transformational potential of the initiative.
The summit will also deliver the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, formalizing commitments to energy reforms and investments. Stakeholders will establish an alliance to accelerate infrastructure projects, enhance regional power trade, and implement Africa’s Continental Master Plan and Single Electricity Market.
Under Mission 300, the AfDB aims to achieve 50 million new energy connections, while the World Bank plans to deliver 250 million connections by 2030. Early successes include renewable energy projects such as Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Power Plant and the Desert to Power initiative, which aims to harness solar energy across 11 Sahel countries.
With $10 million in technical assistance already pledged by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and The Rockefeller Foundation, Mission 300 is set to transform Africa’s energy landscape and improve the lives of millions.
The Dar es Salaam summit marks a critical step toward achieving universal energy access, driving economic growth, and fostering sustainable development across the continent.