(3 Minutes Read)
Ghana has pledged to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, joining 16 other African nations in endorsing National Energy Compacts under the Mission 300 initiative—an ambitious program led by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to power by the end of the decade.
Speaking at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, President John Mahama emphasized that energy access is central to Ghana’s national development goals. “Universal energy access is key to empowering businesses, reducing poverty, and creating equal opportunities,” Mahama stated. “This can only be achieved through strong partnerships between government and the private sector, backed by an environment that encourages sustainable investment.”
Since the launch of Mission 300, over 30 million people have gained access to electricity, with plans underway to reach another 100 million. The Energy Compacts provide a detailed roadmap for reforms, investment, and policy innovation, enabling countries to transition toward affordable, reliable, and clean energy systems. Ghana’s commitment reflects a continent-wide surge in ambition.
A Continental Shift Toward Energy Access
Leaders across Africa echoed similar commitments:
- Botswana’s President Duma Boko pledged to make energy “accessible, reliable, and affordable as a basic human need,” tying it to job creation and economic transformation.
- Cameroon’s President Paul Biya promised bold reforms to accelerate renewables and build a low-carbon economy.
- Republic of Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso highlighted the country’s untapped 27,000 MW hydro potential, noting it could power both domestic needs and a third of the continent’s demand.
- Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske Selassie called for unlocking renewable resources and deepening regional power integration.
- The Gambia’s President Adama Barrow said electricity access was crucial for scaling up infrastructure, renewables, and governance reforms.
- Kenya’s President William Ruto described energy access as the backbone of his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
- Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo declared the goal of making the country a regional energy hub.
- Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio called his country’s Energy Compact “the most ambitious energy infrastructure initiative ever developed” for the nation.
Mission 300: A Turning Point for Africa
World Bank President Ajay Banga hailed Mission 300 as a “historic opportunity” to power the continent’s future. “Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth. Mission 300 isn’t just a target—it’s a catalyst for systemic reform, cost reduction, utility strengthening, and private sector investment.”
“Reliable, affordable power is the fastest economic multiplier for SMEs, agro-processing, digital work, and industry. Give a young entrepreneur electricity, and you give them a paycheck”, stated AfDB President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah.
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With the momentum from Ghana and its peers, the World Bank and AfDB say Africa is now advancing the largest electricity access expansion in history, marking a turning point in the continent’s development trajectory.
Ghanaian President John Mahama at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum
