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World Bank and AfDB connect 64 million Africans to electricity
•2 min read•1 source
The World Bank Group and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have successfully connected 64 million people across the African continent to electricity. This milestone marks a significant step in the ambitious "Mission 300" initiative, a joint partnership designed to bridge the continent's substantial energy gap. The programme ultimately aims to provide reliable power to 300 million Africans by the year 2030, addressing one of the most persistent barriers to economic and social development in the region.
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga emphasized that access to electricity is the foundation for almost all modern essential services. By providing power, the initiative is directly supporting improvements in healthcare delivery and educational outcomes, while also creating an environment where the private sector can thrive. Without electricity, schools cannot use digital tools, clinics cannot refrigerate life-saving vaccines, and businesses struggle to maintain productive operations. The Mission 300 project represents a shift toward large-scale, results-oriented infrastructure development backed by international collaboration and private sector support.
The success of reaching the first 64 million people underscores the urgency of tackling Africa's electricity deficit through coordinated investment and policy reforms. Beyond energy, the World Bank and AfDB are integrating this initiative with broader efforts in agriculture, health, and climate financing to ensure comprehensive global development results. As the 2030 deadline approaches, the banks continue to focus on scaling infrastructure to reach the remaining 236 million people targeted under the initiative.
