The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit has officially begun in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with over 2,600 participants attending the two-day event. The summit, taking place at the Julius Nyerere Convention Center, brings together African leaders and key energy stakeholders to focus on expanding energy access across the continent.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government, the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank Group, the summit is attended by 24 heads of state, government officials, international institution leaders, and private sector representatives. Among the high-profile attendees are Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, AfDB President Akin Adesina, and World Bank President Ajay Banga.
The summit’s central goal is to advance the ambitious target set by the African Development Bank and World Bank to provide electricity access to 300 million people by 2030. President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, who is hosting the summit, emphasized its role in consolidating commitments and fostering new partnerships to meet the continent’s energy needs.
Tanzania itself is making significant strides in electrifying the country, with the number of households with electricity increasing from 32.8% in 2015 to 46% in 2022. The launch of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant, which will generate 2,115 megawatts, is expected to further boost energy connectivity and support both national and regional energy targets.