More than 50 million people across Africa have gained access to electricity through Mission 300, a joint energy access programme led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank.
The development banks announced that the milestone has been achieved in 40 countries, highlighting significant progress in efforts to reduce energy poverty and expand access to reliable power across the continent.
According to the institutions, the initiative has accelerated electrification rates through a combination of financial support, policy reforms, and partnerships involving governments and private investors. They noted that electricity connections under the programme are now being delivered at nearly twice the pace recorded when the initiative began.
Several countries have recorded substantial gains. Tanzania has connected about 7.5 million people to electricity, while Ethiopia has provided access to 4.6 million people through reforms that lowered the cost of connecting to the national grid.
Nigeria has also benefited from the programme, with over 4.5 million people gaining access to electricity through projects driven by private-sector participation and supported by development financing.
The World Bank and AfDB said they have jointly committed nearly $15bn to projects under Mission 300, while an additional $4.5bn has been mobilised from co-financiers. Other development partners have pledged more than $7bn to support energy investments across Africa.
The organisations added that 30 countries have already introduced National Energy Compacts aimed at boosting power generation, expanding renewable energy deployment, strengthening regional electricity networks, and attracting greater private-sector investment.
World Bank Group President, , described the achievement as evidence of the impact of coordinated action among governments, development institutions and investors.
He said access to electricity goes beyond powering homes, noting that it creates opportunities for employment, business growth, healthcare delivery and education.
President of the African Development Bank Group, , said the milestone should serve as a foundation for faster progress toward the goal of connecting 300 million people to electricity by 2030.
He stressed that expanded electricity access would support food production, improve healthcare services and drive broader economic development across the continent.
Also commenting, said the achievement demonstrates that large-scale, African-led development initiatives can deliver measurable results when backed by strong partnerships and investment.
Mission 300 was launched in 2024 by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Sustainable Energy for All, and other international partners. The initiative aims to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by the end of the decade.
