Tanzania to Host ‘Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit’

(3 Minutes Read)

African Heads of State prepare to gather in Dar es Salaam for the Africa Energy Summit on 27^th  January 2025, the spotlight will be on “Mission 300,” a bold electrification initiative spearheaded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank. This ambitious initiative aims to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.

Currently, Africa is home to nearly 83% of the world’s unelectrified population, with 600 million people lacking electricity. This forces many to continue relying on firewood, charcoal, or costly and polluting generators for their energy needs.

Noel Kaganda, Director of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation in Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, announced that preparations are well underway. The summit is expected to attract over 1,500 delegates, including representatives from the African Union, the African Development Bank Group, and the World Bank Group. This diverse assembly of governments, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society organisations will collaborate to advance the continent’s energy agenda.

Innocent Luoga, Commissioner for Electricity and Renewable Energy in the Ministry of Energy, indicated that 14 pilot African countries are anticipated to endorse the Africa Energy Compact during the summit. These nations collectively represent 52% of the global population without electricity and a quarter of the world’s population lacking access to clean cooking solutions. The compact is a strategic initiative aimed at achieving universal energy access by 2030, addressing both electricity and clean cooking challenges.

Tanzania’s commitment to expanding its energy infrastructure is exemplified by the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project (JNHP). Currently, the JNHP is generating 1,410 megawatts from six turbines. Upon completion later this year, it is expected to produce 2,115 megawatts, significantly enhancing the nation’s energy capacity. Gerson Msigwa, Tanzania’s Chief Government Spokesperson, highlighted that the country is also investing in alternative energy sources, including geothermal, solar, and wind power, which are projected to contribute an additional 1,100 megawatts.

The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit represents a pivotal moment for the continent’s energy sector. By bringing together a wide array of stakeholders, the summit seeks to foster collaboration and innovation to tackle the pressing issue of energy access. The endorsement of the Africa Energy Compact by the 14 pilot countries is expected to catalyse broader adoption across the continent, propelling Africa towards the ambitious target of universal energy access by 2030.

Tanzania’s proactive role in co-organising and hosting the summit underscores its dedication to addressing energy challenges both domestically and across Africa. The advancements in the JNHP and investments in renewable energy sources reflect the nation’s strategic approach to diversifying its energy mix and ensuring sustainable power supply for its population.

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The summit will focus on the collaborative efforts of African nations and their partners to develop and implement effective strategies that can bridge the energy access gap. The outcomes of the summit are anticipated to have a lasting impact on the continent’s socio-economic development, as access to reliable and sustainable energy is a fundamental driver of growth and improvement in quality of life.

The African Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam is poised to be a landmark event in the continent’s pursuit of universal energy access. Through collective action and commitment, African nations aim to overcome the challenges of energy poverty, setting the stage for a more prosperous and sustainable future.