W’Bank, AfDB connect 50 million Africans to electricity
June 25, 2026 12:09 am
By Dare Olawin
The World Bank Group and the African Development Bank have said their joint initiative, Mission 300, has connected more than 50 million people to electricity across 40 African countries, marking a major milestone in efforts to expand energy access on the continent.
The institutions said in a statement that the achievement reflects a faster pace of electrification driven by coordinated financing, policy reforms and public-private collaboration under the programme.
According to them, Mission 300 is now delivering electricity access at nearly double the pace recorded at the start of the initiative, as investments are deployed across generation, transmission and last-mile distribution networks to reach households, businesses and public institutions.
“In Tanzania, for example, 7.5 million people have gained access to power under Mission 300, a five-fold increase in the average annual pace of electrification prior to the initiative, driven by increased financing and growing policy momentum.
In Ethiopia, 4.6 million people have been connected, supported by reforms that made grid connections more affordable.”
The organisations said the programme’s model, which aligns governments, development partners and private investors under a single framework, has been central to the improved outcomes across participating countries.
They also disclosed that nearly $15bn has been committed by the World Bank Group and AfDB, with about $4.5bn in co-financing mobilised for Mission 300-related projects, while other development partners have pledged over $7bn to support Africa’s energy sector.
“In Nigeria, more than 4.5 million people have been connected through private sector-led initiatives, demonstrating how well-designed public support and partner financing can help create commercially viable markets,” the statement said.
It revealed that so far, 30 countries have launched National Energy Compacts to expand electricity generation, scale renewable energy, promote regional integration and increase private sector participation, with more countries expected to join at the Africa Energy Forum.
“50 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, which others can use, build on, and scale for years to come. At the end of the day, electricity is not just about power. It is about what it enables: jobs, business, health care, education, and opportunity,” the president of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, was quoted as saying.
The president of the African Development Bank Group, Ould Tah, said, “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.
“Governments, partners, the private sector, and others who comprise what has evolved into an M300 movement must double down to achieve access for 300 million people by 2030. We need all hands on deck.”
The President of The Rockefeller Foundation, Rajiv Shah, commented that connecting over 50 million to electricity is a major milestone for Mission 300, saying it proves that African-led big bets, empowered by bold investment and partnership, can deliver results quickly and at scale.
“The Rockefeller Foundation, along with the Global Energy Alliance, has committed more than $100m to Mission 300 because we know that every new connection means a family with new access to the jobs, education, and the dignity they deserve,” Shah said.
The Chief Executive Officer and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, Damilola Ogunniyi, noted, “The 50 million milestone shows that Mission 300 is moving beyond ambition and delivering real results for people across Africa. These achievements reflect the strong political commitment and implementation capacity of African governments.
“Together with our partners, Sustainable Energy for All will continue to support governments in implementing their National Energy Compacts and accelerating progress towards universal energy access by 2030.”
Launched in 2024, Mission 300 is a joint initiative of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and Sustainable Energy for All, and a broad coalition of governments, development institutions, and private sector partners.
Dare Olawin is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of reporting experience. He began his career as a community reporter and now covers the energy sector, including oil, gas, electricity, and renewables. Dare’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, professional development through workshops and conferences, and a strong commitment to accurate and insightful journalism.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]