Africa Energy Compact Launch

African countries have made significant strides in expanding electricity access, with 17 nations unveiling their National Energy Compacts as part of the Mission 300 initiative. This joint effort, led by the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group, aims to connect an additional 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. The compacts were presented in New York, bringing the total number of countries that have finalized their agreements to 29.

National Energy Compacts are comprehensive documents that set data‑driven targets, policy measures, and resource commitments by African governments to achieve Mission 300’s objectives. Their development and implementation are country‑led, emphasizing engagement with local communities and civil‑society groups, as well as rigorous monitoring mechanisms. The launch event was attended by high‑profile dignitaries, including the presidents of Ethiopia and Ghana and the prime minister of Lesotho.

The 17 countries that launched their energy compacts—referred to as “Cohort 2”—include Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, and others. They join the first cohort of 12 countries that unveiled their compacts in January 2025. According to Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, the first batch identified over 400 policy actions aimed at strengthening utilities, simplifying regulation, and improving the business environment. He noted that progress is measurable, with 30 million people already connected to electricity through the partnership and a pipeline in place to reach more than 100 million additional people.

Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group, reiterated the bank’s commitment to the initiative, emphasizing the importance of speed, synergy, scale, and impact. He highlighted Mission 300’s high ambitions and collaborative approach, which brings together a variety of partners—including the private sector and philanthropies—to bridge Africa’s energy‑access gap. Additional support comes from the UN Sustainable Energy for All, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet.

The African Development Bank Group’s roles in Mission 300 include direct financing, mobilizing private‑sector funding, and coordinating partners. The bank also provides technical assistance to national governments, supporting regulatory reforms and power‑utility upgrades. With the unveiling of the National Energy Compacts, Mission 300 is poised to make significant progress in increasing electricity access across Africa. The initiative seeks to halve the estimated 600 million Africans currently without electricity, with the World Bank Group targeting 250 million people and the African Development Bank Group aiming for 50 million. The success of Mission 300 will profoundly impact millions of lives, and its progress will be closely watched in the coming years.