Ahead of a major summit in Tanzania, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is calling for a radical transformation of Africa’s energy sector to provide electricity to 300 million people by 2030.
In a statement released on January 17, 2025, Wale Shonibare, Director of Financial Solutions, Energy Policy and Regulation at the AfDB, launches an urgent appeal to improve access to energy on the occasion of the African Energy Summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
“Without energy, Africa will neither be able to achieve its development objectives nor take its rightful place among the great world powers “, he warns. The observation is striking: nearly 600 million Africans, or around half of the continent’s population, live without electricity.
« Daily life for these populations is reduced to the flickering glow of kerosene lamps or the intermittent noise of diesel generators. “, describes Shonibare. These temporary solutions, both costly and polluting, maintain a cycle of poverty and worsen environmental degradation, according to him.
Faced with this alarming situation, an ambitious initiative, called “ Mission 300 ”, was launched. Led by the African Development Bank, the World Bank Group and other partners, this initiative aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. This mission has the potential to transform lives, revitalize economies and empower communities », emphasizes Shonibare.
The African energy sector faces many challenges. “ The majority of public electricity companies in Africa are in financial difficulty, struggling to cover their operating costs and finance the investments necessary to ensure their proper functioning “, he explains.
-To succeed in this transformation, Shonibare calls for collective mobilization.
« The success of Mission 300 depends on the commitment of governments, private sector actors and international partners “, he says. He emphasizes the crucial role of the private sector, particularly in the face of rapid growth in Africa’s population and the growing need for investment.
The African Energy Summit represents a decisive moment, according to him.
“The convergence of technological advances, digitalization and new financing models makes this a particularly favorable moment to address Africa’s energy challenges”says Shonibare.
This summit is also expected to mark the signing of 13 historic pacts and unveil new financial commitments to accelerate the deployment of green energy infrastructure on the continent.
ARD/te/Sf/APA
