Olufemi Adeyemi 

A strategy aimed at providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030 has commenced, supported by an initial commitment of $30 billion from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). This initiative includes an evaluation of the first potential beneficiaries.

Prominent climate organizations, including the Rockefeller Foundation, Global Alliance for People and Planet, and Sustainable Energy For All, recently announced the establishment of a technical assistance facility. This facility will assess projects and aid in securing funding for those that meet the criteria of the program known as Mission 300.

The ultimate goal is to raise $90 billion or more from various sources, as reported by Bloomberg. Rajiv Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, emphasized that “Every project starts with a single payment.” He further noted that the technical assistance facility is intended to support the World Bank and AfDB in launching their ambitious electrification initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa.

If successful, this plan could provide electricity to half of the 600 million Africans currently without access. The continent represents approximately three-quarters of the global population lacking power, with countries like South Sudan, Burundi, and Chad having electrification rates below 12 percent. This situation restricts productivity and hinders economic development in some of the world's poorest nations.

Ashvin Dayal, who leads the Rockefeller Foundation’s power and climate program, remarked on Bloomberg TV that there has been “stagnation” in expanding electricity access over the past 15 years. He underscored that addressing this issue is the defining climate and development challenge for the continent in the next two decades.

The Rockefeller Foundation, in collaboration with the Bezos Earth Fund and the Ikea Foundation, established the Global Energy Access Program (GEAPP) in 2021. They are allocating an initial $10 million to support 15 initiatives across 11 African nations, including Burkina Faso and Mozambique, as announced by the organizations. This program aims to enhance clean energy access through various technologies, including mini-grids.