Tanzania is fully prepared to host the 53 African Heads of State who will attend the Mission 300 Energy Summit, scheduled to take place in Dar es Salaam on January 27–28, 2025.
Dr. Khatibu Kazungu, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Energy, responsible for electricity and renewable energy, made this statement during the 15th International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Council meeting in Abu Dhabi.
He emphasized that the summit would be an important platform to discuss how IRENA member countries can leverage their influence with development partners to allocate funds for renewable energy projects that are both environmentally friendly and impactful.
Dr. Kazungu highlighted Tanzania’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access for 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, underscoring the importance of this agenda and calling for IRENA members to actively support it.
The M300 summit will also focus on energy sector reforms, exploring ways to secure funding for energy projects that aim to connect more customers, promote private sector involvement, and encourage the use of clean cooking energy.
Dr. Kazungu noted that the summit's guiding slogan would be to accelerate energy access in Africa, aiming to bring electricity to 685 million people currently living without it.
He also highlighted that the Tanzanian government has recently updated its investment laws to facilitate greater private sector participation in renewable energy projects, recognizing their vital importance for the country's future.
Dr. Kazungu expressed gratitude to development partners such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), AFD, and KFW for their financial support of various renewable energy initiatives in Tanzania, including the Kakono and Malagarasi projects, which are currently in progress.
Kevin Kariuki, Vice President of Energy and Climate Change at the AfDB, stressed that political will and clear policy frameworks are essential for the successful implementation of energy projects in African nations, which will ultimately benefit their citizens.
He urged African countries to take full advantage of opportunities for environmentally friendly energy projects to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions, while calling on the international community to back these efforts with tangible support.