PRESS RELEASE
Dar es Salaam, January 28, 2025. The Africa Energy Summit that ended today with the promise that it will bring electricity to 300 million homes by 2030 has been overshadowed by a critical misdirection through its reliance on fossil gas. The African and global civil society actors have reacted to the declaration of the summit, terming it insufficient for failing to address the urgency of Africa’s energy needs and for promoting gas.
Announced last year, Mission 300 is an ambitious initiative spearheaded by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank (AfDB) that aspires to tackle Africa’s widespread energy poverty by promoting investment in infrastructure and regional integration. If successfully implemented, this initiative will halve energy poverty on the continent, where more than 600 million people do not have access to electricity.
The two-day summit in Tanzania’s capital brought together African heads of state to deliberate and agree on the first set of National Energy Compacts that will outline commitments, targets and timelines for energy sector reform in different African countries. But gas featured prominently in the 12 National Energy Compacts presented at the summit, signalling a dangerous path towards outdated energy systems. While efforts to accelerate cleaner energy production are commendable, the global civil society movement warns that including gas as a ‘‘transition fuel’’ poses significant risks that undermine their sustainability and socio-environmental integrity. The activists note that gas expansion will continue to expose Africa to volatile global energy markets and burden countries with stranded assets while worsening the climate impacts already devastating communities on the continent.
As Africa confronts the existential threat of climate change, the urgency for sustainable energy solutions and the imperative to eradicate poverty, the continent had in Mission 300 an opportunity to emerge as a beacon of prosperity. This vision, however, required leadership that prioritises the well-being of its people within thriving ecosystems and a stable climate. It demanded a proactive approach to navigate external risks and opportunities, while challenging outdated narratives rooted in colonial stereotypes. They note that while Mission 300, somewhat, captured this vision and ambition for Africa, it failed to meet the urgency of the moment.
Reactions from civil society:
Omar Elmawi, Convenor, Africa Climate Movement Building Space, said: “Mission 300 should focus on improving the lives of the more than 600 million Africans currently without access to electricity. It should aim to brighten our continent and unlock its full potential to drive progress across all sectors, including livelihoods, food sovereignty, health, manufacturing, industry and innovation. This vision is achievable only if it is done right, with the African people at the heart of the mission, not by enriching fossil fuel companies at the expense of everyone else. Africa’s abundant, untapped renewable energy resources are the key to a successful Mission 300, not gas or fossil fuels”.
Jon Sward, Environment Project Manager, Bretton Woods Project, noted: ‘‘It is concerning that the Mission 300 initiative appears to be built on the World Bank’s private sector-led approach to power sector reform. There has been very little genuine civil society consultation to date. Our research shows that this agenda, which typically emphasises foreign direct investment rather than the domestic private sector, has a very mixed record of success, and is focused on de-risking private profits. Over time, this can increase energy costs for citizens and worsen the financial outlook for utilities. We need urgent clarity on what elements of Mission 300 will receive World Bank financing and how this will be embedded in a people-centred, human rights-based approach.’’
Dean Bhekumuzi Bhebhe, Senior Just Transitions Advisor, Power Shift Africa, said: ‘‘The continent is being courted to produce fossil gas on the pretext of economic development and to end energy poverty. Despite Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, it is unfortunate that African leaders in Dar es Salaam have made a dangerous gamble by choosing to anchor this initiative to gas. Over the years, capital-intensive and risky gas infrastructure has diverted significant resources from renewable energy investments while locking African countries into dependency on fossil fuels. Even with financial support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, paying off loans borrowed to put up gas infrastructure could pose a significant financial burden to African economies. Relying on gas also undermines Africa’s commitment to climate resilience, considering the continent’s acute vulnerability to climate change-induced extreme weather events.’’
Alison Doig, Clean Energy Campaign Manager, Recourse, warned: “Far from addressing the scandal of energy poverty in Africa, this summit has opened the door to the global private sector to make profits from damaging mega projects such as fossil gas and big hydro, with much of the energy meant for export elsewhere. As they allocate billions of public funding to the Mission 300 initiative, the World Bank and the African Development Bank must be accountable to the African women, youth and rural communities who deserve clean, affordable energy, not just to the private profiteers.”
Chibeze Ezekiel, Executive Coordinator, Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND), argued: ‘‘While providing access to electricity to some 300 million Africans by 2030 is commendable, we are concerned with the source or type of energy solutions to be adopted. We are against any new forms of energy generation from fossil fuels, including LNG. We are in full support of cleaner and sustainable forms of energy sources which amount to significant co-benefits such as climate solutions, high potential for youth employment in Africa and environmental protection. We, therefore, expect to see the 12 African countries that have developed their respective energy compacts prioritising and pursuing renewable energy development to inspire other African countries to follow suit.’’
Karabo Mokgonyana, Campaigner at Don’t Gas Africa, said: “Mission 300 represents an ambitious step toward electrifying sub-Saharan Africa, with the potential to transform lives, boost economies and establish the continent as a leader in clean energy. However, its success hinges on addressing critical challenges such as ensuring that energy is not only accessible but affordable and equitable as well, preventing private sector profit motives from sidelining social priorities and avoiding the exacerbation of Africa’s growing debt crisis. For Mission 300 to truly empower the 300 million people it aims to reach, it must embed inclusivity, prioritize gender equality, provide opportunities for youth and integrate robust just transition strategies that protect workers and communities that rely on the fossil fuel industry. This is not just about powering homes; it is about empowering people, preserving ecosystems and securing Africa’s sustainable future.”
Dr. Wafa Misrar, Campaigns and Policy Lead at Climate Action Network (CAN) Africa, said: “Ironically, while renewables continue to grow exponentially globally, the Mission 300 pledge seems to entrap Africans in a fossil gas-based system. If fossil fuels were a solution for Africa, its energy access crisis would not continue to exist today, after decades of reliance on them. The region is in dire need of an energy system transformation that addresses the needs of the people, this is only possible through renewable energy. The urgent developmental needs of the region leave no room to waste time on transition fuel fallacies and highlight the immediate need to direct finance to renewables. Africa must finally be freed from the shackles of fossil fuels that only benefit the fossil fuel industry and developed nations.”
Sophie Richmond, Campaign Lead, Big Shift Global said, ‘‘Africa has huge potential for renewable energy. Public finance institutions like the World Bank and African Development Bank cannot be pouring money into fossil fuels, they must pave the way to clean, secure energy access for communities across the continent. Fossil gas is not a development solution, it is bad economics. To bring real change to the continent, Mission 300 must be an inclusive, transparent, non-debt creating process that brings solutions to people who need them, not profits to big oil.’’
Note to Editors
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About Mission 300
Mission 300 is an ambitious initiative spearheaded by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank that aims to tackle Africa’s widespread energy poverty by promoting investment in infrastructure and regional integration. If successfully implemented, the initiative will slash by half energy poverty on the continent, with more than 600 million Africans standing to benefit. The mission is supported by, among other partners, the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP).