The World Bank’s initiative to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030 has reached 59 million people, President Ajay Banga said Friday, while warning that access alone will not meet the continent’s growing demand for reliable power.
The initiative, known as Mission 300, is a joint effort with the African Development Bank to expand electricity access across the continent.
“So far, 59 million have gained access,” Banga said in remarks at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Bangkok.
The pace of new connections has accelerated, rising from 12 million in fiscal 2024 to 18 million in fiscal 2025 and 28 million in fiscal 2026, he said.
But Banga cautioned that expanding connections is only part of the task.
“But access is only part of the challenge,” he said. “Homes, mines, factories, farms, and growing cities need reliable, affordable baseload power.”
The figures indicate progress toward the 2030 target, but approximately 241 million more people must gain access to reach the stated goal.
The initiative seeks to address one of Africa’s persistent barriers to economic development: inadequate electricity access and supply that can constrain businesses, manufacturing, agriculture and public services.
Banga said the World Bank’s approach includes a mix of energy sources and investments in the infrastructure needed to deliver electricity.
“Our approach is balanced by design — a full mix of renewables, hydro, gas where appropriate, nuclear where it makes sense, transmission, grids, and storage,” he said.
Mission 300 also relies on national energy plans and reforms intended to attract investment and improve electricity services. However, the continent-wide figures do not show how many people have gained access in each participating country or whether new connections provide a reliable supply.
For Burundi and other African economies seeking to expand productive activity, the distinction between access and dependable electricity is significant. A connection does not necessarily guarantee affordable power or an uninterrupted supply for businesses.
Banga did not provide a country-by-country breakdown of the 59 million people reached in his remarks.
The World Bank and African Development Bank aim to connect 300 million people across Africa by 2030.
