Tanzania is hosting a historic African Heads of State Energy Summit from January 27-28, 2025, at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre (JNICC). The summit focuses on connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, part of a broader goal to improve power access across the continent.
The summit, co-organized by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), has drawn 25 Heads of State, 25 billionaires, and over 40 leaders from international organizations. Key attendees include World Bank President Mr. Ajay Banga, AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Amina Mohammed.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan welcomed participants, emphasizing the country’s readiness to collaborate on advancing energy access. She highlighted the summit’s critical role in consolidating commitments and partnerships for achieving the 2030 energy goal.
The summit, dubbed “Mission 300,” targets connecting 300 million people to electricity by 2030. Tanzania’s significant role in Africa’s energy transition was also emphasized, with the country positioned to lead in developing fourth-generation energy technologies.
The Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre is the venue for the summit, supported by the Global Energy Alliance for People and the Planet, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Sustainable Energy for All. President Samia expressed Tanzania’s commitment to ensuring Africa’s energy transformation and the importance of partnerships in achieving universal electricity access.
Countries such as Algeria, Ethiopia, Zambia, Kenya, Liberia, and Nigeria have sent their leaders to participate, with discussions focusing on key energy projects, including the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, which will add 2,115 MW to Tanzania’s grid.
Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo noted the significance of the summit, which is expected to exceed the scale of previous major events in Tanzania. He highlighted the potential for partnerships that will increase electricity access, foster economic diplomacy, and enable Tanzania to export power to neighboring countries.
The summit is expected to bring together 1,500 participants and reinforce Africa’s leadership in addressing energy challenges while securing a more sustainable future.