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With nearly half of Africa’s population living without electricity, policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners gathered at the Africa Energy Summit’s Mission 300 to tackle one of the continent’s most pressing challenges: achieving universal, reliable, and sustainable energy access by 2030.
The summit, held in the port city of Dar es Salaam, marked an important milestone in Africa’s energy landscape. It brought together voices from across the spectrum, including government officials, financiers, and renewable energy advocates, to strategise on transforming the continent’s energy sector. Central to the discussion was Mission 300, an ambitious plan to connect 300 million Africans to power within six years.
Speaking at a Panel of discussion on January 27 dubbed Policy and Reforms for Transforming Africa energy, Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Energy at the African Development Bank (AfDB), set the tone on the magnitude of the crisis. “Electricity is the backbone of modern economies, and our inability to provide it to every African is holding back our economic potential,” he said.
Kariuki shared sobering statistics: 600 million Africans remain without electricity, representing 83 percent of the world’s energy-deprived population. Mission 300, he explained, is more than a slogan. "It is a call to action," he declared, underscoring the urgency of the initiative.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Opiyo Wandayi, highlighted his countrys strides in renewable energy. He described Kenya’s newly launched master plan to expand solar, wind, and geothermal energy generation. “We cannot rely on old solutions for new challenges. Africa must embrace clean energy technologies and innovate,” Wandayi emphasised.
A key focus of the summit was creating favourable conditions for private sector investment. Zambia’s Minister of Finance, Situmbeko Musokotwane, stressed the importance of clear and transparent regulatory frameworks. “Private sector participation is not optional; it is essential,” Musokotwane said.
He highlighted Zambia’s introduction of a one-stop licensing system for energy investors, which reduces bureaucratic barriers and enhances transparency. “Investors need certainty. They need to know their capital will be safe and yield returns,” he added.
Panelists underscored the role of innovative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships and blended finance models, in mitigating risks and fostering confidence among investors. Kariuki noted that governments must act as facilitators rather than gatekeepers in the energy sector.
Wandayi pointed to the success of Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Power project, the continent’s largest wind farm, as a prime example of the benefits of public-private collaboration. “When the policy environment is right, investors will come,” he stated.
The summit did not shy away from addressing the inefficiencies of public utilities, a critical factor hindering energy access in many African nations. “Utility reform is the elephant in the room,” Kariuki said. “Without it, we cannot achieve energy sustainability.”
Musokotwane explained Zambia’s ongoing efforts to restructure its state utility, Zesco. Measures include performance-based management and exploring partial privatisation. “Our goal is to make Zesco a model of accountability and sustainability,” he said.
Kariuki advocated for implementing cost-reflective tariffs and anti-corruption measures to ensure the financial viability of utilities. “Reforming utilities is not easy, but it is essential,” he added.
Panelists agreed that renewable energy must play a central role in Africa’s energy future. Wandayi outlined Kenya’s goal to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030. “We are already at 75 per cent. With the right investments, we can get there,” he said.
Kariuki emphasised the vast potential of Africa’s renewable energy resources, from the solar-rich Sahel to the hydropower capacity of the Congo River. “Africa has the resources to lead the global energy transition. What we need are the policies and partnerships to unlock this potential,” he said.
Despite the optimism, panelists acknowledged the significant challenges ahead. Musokotwane noted that inadequate infrastructure, limited financial resources, and capacity gaps remain major obstacles. “We are not starting from zero, but the road ahead is steep,” he said.
Wandayi emphasised the importance of regional cooperation, citing initiatives like the East African Power Pool, which seeks to create an interconnected electricity grid across the region. “Energy does not recognise borders. Collaboration is key,” he said.
Global partnerships were another critical aspect of the summit. Kariuki announced that the AfDB had secured $1.5 billion in funding commitments from international donors to support energy projects. “This is a significant step, but it is only the beginning. We need billions more to meet our goals,” he said.
World Bank President Ajay Banga echoed this sentiment, highlighting the bank’s commitment to spend $30-$40 billion on the initiative. However, he warned that funding would be contingent on African nations implementing necessary regulatory and policy reforms.
Musokotwane urged global stakeholders to view Africa as a partner rather than merely a beneficiary. “Africa’s energy transformation is not just for Africa; it is for the world. A sustainable Africa means a sustainable planet,” he said.
Tanzania, one of the key participants in the summit, is making significant progress in its energy sector. Since independence, the country has expanded its electricity generation capacity, notably through the construction of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant, which adds 2,115 megawatts to its grid.
However, challenges remain. Despite increasing electricity access from 14 per cent in 2011 to 78.4 per cent in 2020, more than half of Tanzanians still lack reliable power. Rural areas, in particular, face significant connectivity gaps.
“Tanzania’s future depends on reliable energy,” said Samson Shayo, a software engineer in Dar es Salaam. “If we prioritise electricity access, we can empower more Tanzanians to build a brighter future. Energy is not just about lighting homes; it’s about creating opportunities.”
As the summit concluded, panelists urged stakeholders to move beyond incremental changes. “The time for bold, transformative reforms is now,” Wandayi said.
Kariuki reminded attendees of the high stakes. “The decisions we make today will shape Africa’s energy landscape for decades to come. We must choose wisely,” he said.
The Africa Energy Summit’s Mission 300 represents a turning point for the continent. By adopting bold policies, fostering global partnerships, and leveraging its renewable energy potential, Africa has a chance to not only light up homes but also ignite economic growth and human potential.
As Wandayi aptly put it: “Energy is power, and power is opportunity. Africa’s future depends on what we do now.”