Manny Ita
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Board of Directors has approved a $3.9 million, two-year project aimed at assisting Nigeria and 12 other African nations in implementing energy compacts to expand electricity access by 2030. Announced in a statement on Friday, January 30, 2026, the initiative is part of the broader “Mission 300” program, a joint effort with the World Bank designed to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent. This latest phase of the project, known as AESTAP Mission 300 Phase II, seeks to translate national policy commitments into tangible electricity connections for households, businesses, and public institutions. In addition to Nigeria, the beneficiary countries include Chad, Gabon, Tanzania, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Malawi, Lesotho, Namibia, and Uganda.
Wale Shonibare, the AfDB’s Director of Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulation, noted that while many countries have already made significant policy commitments through their Energy Compacts, this new phase of support is critical for achieving actual results. “Countries have made bold commitments through their Energy Compacts,” Shonibare said. He emphasized that the focus of the technical assistance will be on “ensuring that households, entrepreneurs, and communities actually gain access to electricity” by turning those documented plans into real-world outcomes. The project intends to provide hands-on support to help governments implement necessary reforms, improve electricity regulations, and refine tariff structures to attract private investment.
This approval follows the completion of Phase I in December 2025, which focused on establishing Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units within government structures to coordinate energy reforms. Phase II will build on this foundation by embedding expert advisers within these national units to track progress and coordinate efforts with development partners. The bank indicated that the project would also utilize tools such as the Electricity Regulatory Index and regional energy forums to facilitate data sharing and cross-country learning. This initiative complements the AfDB’s ongoing financial support for Nigeria’s energy sector, including a recently approved $500 million loan for the second phase of the Economic Governance and Energy Transition Support Programme.
