Mission 300 Connects Over 50 Million Africans to Electricity, Nigeria Adds 4.5 Million
The milestone, announced on Wednesday, comes as the initiative records an electrification pace nearly twice as fast as when it was launched in 2024.
According to a statement issued by the AfDB, Mission 300 has accelerated access to electricity by investing across the entire energy value chain, including generation, transmission and last-mile distribution, boosting both on-grid and off-grid connections for households, businesses and institutions.
In Tanzania, about 7.5 million people have gained electricity access under the initiative, representing a five-fold increase in the country’s average annual electrification rate before Mission 300. Ethiopia has recorded 4.6 million new connections, aided by reforms that reduced the cost of grid access.
Nigeria has also emerged as one of the beneficiaries, with more than 4.5 million people connected through private sector-led initiatives. The programme said the Nigerian experience demonstrates how public support and partner financing can create commercially viable electricity markets.
The World Bank Group and AfDB disclosed that they have committed nearly $15bn in financing to Mission 300 projects and attracted approximately $4.5bn in co-financing. Other development partners have pledged more than $7bn to support Africa’s energy sector.
The initiative said its approach differs from previous efforts by aligning governments, development partners and private investors under a common framework, helping to strengthen political commitment, drive reforms and mobilise resources needed to accelerate electrification.
So far, 30 African countries have launched National Energy Compacts aimed at improving energy systems, expanding affordable electricity generation, scaling renewable energy and increasing private sector participation.
Additional compacts are expected to be unveiled by Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Gabon, Rwanda and Uganda during the Africa Energy Forum taking place this week.
President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, described the achievement as evidence of the effectiveness of partnerships in expanding energy access.
“Fifty million people connected is a milestone — but the bigger story is the pace and the partnership behind it. Mission 300 is helping countries move faster, connect more people, and build a platform that will last well beyond this effort,” he said.
President of the African Development Bank Group, Sidi Ould Tah, said the milestone should serve as a springboard for faster electrification across the continent.
“The 50 million milestone is indeed commendable. This must become the launchpad for faster electrification to enhance food security on account of affordable irrigation; increase capacity to store medicines for better health outcomes, and spur more inclusive economic and social empowerment,” he said, urging stakeholders to intensify efforts to achieve electricity access for 300 million Africans by 2030.
Partners backing the initiative, including The Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and Sustainable Energy for All, also hailed the progress, saying it demonstrates that coordinated investments and country-led reforms can deliver large-scale results.
Mission 300 was launched in 2024 by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group, with support from development institutions, philanthropic organisations, governments and private sector partners.
