Seventeen African Countries Align with Electricity Reform Plans — World Bank

The World Bank has announced that seventeen African governments have pledged to implement reforms and actionable plans aimed at expanding electricity access under Mission 300, an ambitious partnership led by the Bank and the African Development Bank Group to connect 300 million Africans to power by 2030.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Bank said governments from Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, the Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, and Togo endorsed National Energy Compacts during the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum.

The compacts, described as policy blueprints, are designed to guide public spending, drive reforms, and attract private investment, while also serving as a model for other regions.

Nigeria was not part of this group, having joined earlier in the year alongside Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Collectively, those countries pledged over 400 policy actions to strengthen utilities, reduce investor risk, and eliminate bottlenecks.

“Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth. That’s why Mission 300 is more than a target; it is forging enduring reforms that slash costs, strengthen utilities, and draw in private investment,” World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said.

Since the initiative was launched, 30 million people have gained access to power, with another 100 million connections in progress. African Development Bank Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah emphasized the impact of reliable electricity, noting that it drives small and medium businesses, agro-processing, digital work, and industrial development. “Give a young entrepreneur power, and you’ve given them a paycheck,” he said.

National Energy Compacts are at the heart of Mission 300. Developed and endorsed by participating governments with technical support from development partners, they integrate three key tracks: infrastructure, financing, and policy.

The World Bank and the African Development Bank Group are working alongside the Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Sustainable Energy for All, and the Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program trust fund, among others, to align efforts in support of powering Africa. Many development finance institutions are also contributing through co-financing and technical support.

Leaders from the newly committed countries underscored the importance of the initiative.

Botswana’s President, Duma Boko, described the compact as a pledge to provide accessible, reliable, and affordable energy to transform the economy and create jobs.

Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya, reaffirmed commitment to renewable energy, inclusive access, and a low-carbon future.

Comoros President, Azali Assoumani, said the compact represents a call to action for universal access to electricity by 2030.

Ethiopian President, Taye Atske Selassie, highlighted Ethiopia’s resolve to leverage renewable resources and regional interconnections to foster inclusive growth and end energy poverty.