Nigeria, Tanzania and Ethiopia have emerged as leading beneficiaries of Mission 300, the continent-wide electrification programme that has connected more than 50 million people to electricity across 40 African countries, according to the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group.

The milestone marks a significant step toward the initiative’s ambitious goal of providing electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030, while showcasing how coordinated investments, policy reforms and private sector participation are accelerating energy access across the continent.

Nigeria alone has connected more than 4.5 million people through private sector-led projects supported by Mission 300, highlighting the growing role of commercial investment in expanding electricity access to underserved communities.

Tanzania recorded one of the programme’s strongest performances, with 7.5 million people gaining access to power, representing a fivefold increase in the country’s average annual electrification rate before the initiative was launched in 2024.

In Ethiopia, 4.6 million people have been connected to electricity, driven largely by reforms that lowered the cost of grid connections and improved affordability for households and businesses.

The World Bank and AfDB said Mission 300 is now delivering electricity access at nearly twice the pace recorded at its inception, reflecting a new model that integrates investments across the energy value chain—from power generation and transmission to distribution networks and off-grid solutions.

The programme has mobilised substantial financial resources to support its expansion. The World Bank Group and AfDB have committed nearly $15 billion to Mission 300 projects and leveraged approximately $4.5 billion in co-financing, while other development partners have pledged more than $7 billion to strengthen Africa’s energy sector.

A key feature of the initiative is its focus on creating conditions that attract private investment. By combining policy reforms with grants, guarantees and concessional financing, Mission 300 is helping to reduce risks and make energy projects commercially viable in previously underserved markets.

The initiative’s implementation is being guided by National Energy Compacts, country-led frameworks aimed at strengthening energy systems, expanding affordable power generation, promoting renewable energy, enhancing regional integration and increasing private sector participation.

So far, 30 African countries have launched Energy Compacts, with Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Gabon, Rwanda and Uganda expected to unveil theirs during the Africa Energy Forum this week.

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, said the significance of the achievement lies not only in the number of new electricity connections but also in the pace of delivery and collaboration among stakeholders.

“Mission 300 is helping countries move faster, connect more people and build a platform that can be scaled for years to come. Electricity is about more than power—it creates opportunities for jobs, businesses, healthcare and education,” he said.

AfDB President, Sidi Ould Tah, described the 50-million milestone as a springboard for further action, stressing the need for governments, development partners and the private sector to intensify efforts toward achieving the 2030 target.

Launched in 2024, Mission 300 is a joint initiative of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group, supported by partners including The Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). The programme aims to address Africa’s persistent electricity deficit and unlock economic growth through expanded access to reliable and affordable energy.