Ghana joins 16 African nations to boost electricity access under Mission 300
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
Ghana has officially joined 16 other African nations in endorsing a National Energy Compact under Mission 300, a landmark initiative led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank (AfDB) aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to reliable electricity by 2030.
Speaking at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, President John Mahama pledged Ghana’s full commitment, stressing that universal energy access is vital to fighting poverty and reducing inequality.
“Ghana believes universal energy access is key to empowering businesses, reducing poverty, and creating equal opportunities. This goal can only be achieved through strong government–private sector partnerships, supported by an enabling environment for sustainable investment,” President Mahama said.
Mission 300 has already connected 30 million people since its launch and has 100 million more connections in the pipeline, according to World Bank Group President Ajay Banga.
“Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth. 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,” Mr Banga explained.
Across Africa, leaders stressed the urgency of tackling energy poverty. Kenya’s President William Ruto reaffirmed his country’s drive to achieve universal electricity and clean cooking by 2030, while Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske Selassie outlined plans to unlock vast renewable resources and strengthen regional power interconnections.
Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo pledged to consolidate his country’s role as a regional energy hub by exporting clean power, while Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio described his country’s compact as “the most ambitious and comprehensive energy infrastructure initiative ever developed” for its people.
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya emphasised a shift towards renewables to build a low-carbon future, and the Republic of Congo pointed to its 27,000 MW hydroelectric potential as a continental game-changer.
AfDB President Dr Sidi Ould Tah highlighted the transformative power of Mission 300.
“Reliable, affordable power is the fastest multiplier for small and medium enterprises, agro-processing, digital work, and industrial value-addition. Give a young entrepreneur power, and you’ve given them a paycheck,” he stressed.
National Energy Compacts, the building blocks of Mission 300, are tailored blueprints integrating reforms in infrastructure, financing, and policy.
Earlier in 2025, 12 additional countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire, endorsed their own compacts, collectively pledging over 400 policy actions to strengthen utilities, reduce investor risk, and eliminate bottlenecks.
