Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, Shaping Africa’s Energy Future.

A distinguished gathering of Heads of State and Government, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Ministers of Energy, Finance, and Foreign Affairs from across Africa.

Tanzania’s recently hosted Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit on January 27-28 in Dar es Salaam marks a significant milestone in the country’s growing influence in the global energy transition. The event culminated in the Dar es Salaam Declaration; a pivotal framework aimed at shaping Africa’s energy landscape to achieve a higher milestone of connecting 300 million Africans to electricity as we approach the year 2030. As a country endowed with vast natural resources, strategic geographic positioning, and a commitment to sustainable development, Tanzania’s role as a host country underscores its potential to contribute to the goal.

 The TaTEDO-SESO participated in the important Energy Summit hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania, the African Union, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), and the World Bank Group (WBG), with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, ESMAP, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa.

 A Platform for Energy Transformation.

 The Energy Summit brought together African heads of state and government, innovators, policymakers, investors, and stakeholders from 22 African countries to discuss Africa’s energy challenges and opportunities for positive transformation. With many African nations still grappling with energy poverty and insecurity, the summit served as a crucial platform for forging collaborative solutions, advancing renewable energy projects, and securing much-needed investments in sustainable infrastructure.

Tanzania’s selection as the host nation is no coincidence but a planned endeavor from Tanzania’s energy sector development. The country has demonstrated a proactive stance on energy policies, particularly in the development of natural gas, hydropower, and renewables. The summit has been a place to highlight Tanzania’s ambitions to enhance energy security through diverse sources termed clean energy taps. By providing a stage for discussions on clean and inclusive energy transitions, Tanzania reaffirms its commitment to bridging the energy gap while fostering economic growth as a genuine example of energy transformation in the continent.

 Thirty African Heads of State and government committed to concrete reforms and actions to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to power economic growth, improve quality of life, and drive job creation across the continent. The leaders pledged their commitment in a declaration during the two-day Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.  Mission 300 partners pledged more than $50 billion in support of increasing energy access across Africa.

 The Dar es Salaam Declaration for Africa’s Energy Future.

 One of the summit’s key achievements was the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a policy framework designed to guide African nations in accelerating energy access, securing financing for clean energy projects, and promoting regional energy integration. The declaration emphasizes the importance of:

First, investing in renewable energy by encouraging African countries to shift towards solar, wind, and hydropower to ensure long-term energy security and reduce carbon emissions. The summit policies will expand renewable energy capacity; Africa can reduce their greenhouse emissions by 30 to 35 percent by 2030 in the way to climate change mitigation.

 Second, enhancing energy infrastructure by strengthening grid connectivity and cross-border energy trade to facilitate access to affordable electricity. Improved infrastructure will allow for a more efficient and reliable energy distribution network, ensuring that power reaches underserved regions. A robust energy infrastructure will also attract foreign investments and bolster industrial growth, fueling economic development across the continent.

 Third, promoting partnerships between the government and private sector by creating an enabling environment for investors to fund large-scale energy projects, ensuring sustainable economic growth. The partnerships will help bridge financing gaps by leveraging private sector expertise and capital to implement large-scale renewable energy projects. Moreover, fostering collaboration between governments and private entities will enhance policy stability, ensuring long-term commitments to energy development through inclusion.

 Fourth, ensuring energy equity by addressing disparities in energy access, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. Equitable energy access will empower vulnerable populations, improving health, education, and economic opportunities in remote areas. Governments must implement policies that prioritize inclusive energy distribution, ensuring that no community is left behind in Africa’s energy transition under Mission 300.

 Implications for Africa’s Energy Transition

The Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration represents more than just an agreement; it signals Africa’s collective ambition to drive energy transformation. As global pressure mounts to phase out fossil fuels and embrace sustainable alternatives, Africa must seize this moment to chart its energy destiny. This declaration serves as a guiding principle for African nations to transition towards a more resilient and self-sufficient energy sector, reinforcing the continent’s commitment to environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.

 Tanzania’s hosting of the Energy Summit serves as a call to action for other African nations to prioritize energy development, invest in renewables, and engage in strategic partnerships. With the right policies and commitments, Africa can move towards energy self-sufficiency while supporting global climate goals. By taking decisive steps in implementing the goals of the Dar es Salaam Declaration, African countries can ensure that energy development is both inclusive and sustainable, ultimately benefiting future generations.

 The Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration represents a key milestone in addressing the energy gap in Africa, where more than 600 million people currently live without electricity. The commitments in the Declaration are a critical piece of the Mission 300 initiative, which unites governments, development banks, partners, philanthropies, and the private sector to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. The Declaration will now be submitted to the African Union Summit in February for adoption.