Ghana has pledged to deliver universal electricity access by 2030, joining 16 other African nations in endorsing National Energy Compacts under the World Bank and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative.
Speaking at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, President John Mahama described energy as central to Ghana’s development agenda.
“Ghana believes universal energy access is key to empowering businesses, reducing poverty, and creating equal opportunities. This goal can only be achieved through strong government–private sector partnerships, supported by an enabling environment for sustainable investment,” he said.
Read Also: UCC Governing Council Appoints Prof. Denis Aheto as Interim Vice-Chancellor
Mission 300, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, has already linked 30 million people, with another 100 million connections in the pipeline. The Energy Compacts serve as detailed roadmaps for investment, reform, and policy innovation.
Continental Commitments
Ghana’s pledge mirrors a wave of bold commitments across Africa:
-
Botswana: President Duma Boko said their compact would guarantee “accessible, reliable, and affordable energy as a basic human need” to spur jobs and growth.
-
Cameroon: President Paul Biya committed to renewable energy reforms for a low-carbon future.
-
Congo Republic: President Denis Sassou Nguesso cited his country’s 27,000 MW hydro potential, capable of meeting national needs and exporting power for one-third of Africa.
-
Ethiopia: President Taye Atske Selassie pledged to expand renewables and regional power integration.
-
The Gambia: President Adama Barrow said electricity access would scale renewables and drive infrastructure upgrades.
-
Kenya: President William Ruto called clean energy central to his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
-
Mozambique: President Daniel Chapo outlined plans to position the country as a regional energy hub.
-
Sierra Leone: President Julius Maada Bio described their compact as “the most ambitious energy infrastructure initiative ever developed” for the nation.
Global Support
World Bank President Ajay Banga hailed Mission 300 as a “historic opportunity” to transform Africa’s power landscape.
“Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth. Mission 300 is more than a target—it is forging enduring reforms that cut costs, strengthen utilities, and attract private investment,” he noted.
African Development Bank President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah added:
“Reliable, affordable power is the fastest multiplier for small and medium enterprises, agro-processing, digital work, and industrial value-addition. Give a young entrepreneur power, and you’ve given them a paycheck.”
A Continental Shift
With Ghana and its peers endorsing the Energy Compacts, the World Bank and AfDB say Africa is on course to deliver the most ambitious electricity expansion drive in history, laying the foundation for growth, inclusion, and transformation.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem