FILE: World Bank
Elegbede Abiodun
The World Bank Group has committed $8.2bn to expand electricity access across Sub-Saharan Africa as part of a broader push to tackle one of the region’s most persistent development challenges, with nearly 600 million people still living without power.
The funding forms the backbone of “Mission 300”, a joint initiative with the African Development Bank Group aimed at connecting 300 million people to electricity by 2030. Under the plan, the World Bank targets 250m connections, while the African Development Bank is expected to deliver the remaining 50m.
The initiative, backed by a combination of public and private sector financing, has already mobilised an additional $1.2bn, with projects advancing across more than 40 countries and over 150 programmes underway, according to details published by the lender on its website.
Despite recent progress, access to electricity remains a major constraint on economic growth across the region. Without reliable power, hospitals struggle to function, agricultural productivity is limited, and businesses face high operating costs, undermining job creation and industrial development.
The World Bank said the programme is designed not only to expand access but also to drive broader economic transformation, linking electricity supply to job creation, digital connectivity, and industrial growth.
“Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth,” President of the World Bank Ajay Banga stated. “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.”
At the core of the initiative are National Energy Compacts, country-led reform frameworks intended to unlock investment, improve utility performance, and align policy with long-term energy goals. The programme also seeks to scale private sector participation through competitive procurement, regional power trade, and de-risking mechanisms.
The effort comes as development finance institutions intensify collaboration to address Africa’s energy deficit, widely seen as a critical barrier to inclusive growth. Access to electricity is expected to support small and medium-sized enterprises, agro-processing, manufacturing, and digital services, sectors seen as key to job creation across the continent.
“Reliable, affordable power is the fastest multiplier for small and medium enterprises, agro-processing, digital work, and industrial value-addition,” said African Development Bank Group President Sidi Tah. “Give a young entrepreneur power, and you’ve given them a pay cheque.”
Household access to electricity is also expected to improve living standards, enabling safer cooking, access to information, and better education outcomes, while strengthening healthcare delivery through reliable lighting and refrigeration for medicines.
The World Bank said connection rates under the programme are accelerating, running at about 1.5 times faster than previous efforts, as investments and reforms begin to take effect.
‘Mission 300’, the lenders say, is intended to lay the foundation for long-term energy systems capable of reaching even the most remote communities while supporting Africa’s transition towards more reliable and sustainable power infrastructure.
