By Alfred Zacharia
Tanzania is poised to play a central role in Africa’s quest for universal energy access as it prepares to host a high-level African Energy Summit.
The event, endorsed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, comes as a response to an urgent call by the World Bank and African Development Bank to tackle the continent’s enduring energy crisis.
Dubbed “Mission 300,” this initiative seeks to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, marking a critical step toward sustainable development.
Africa’s energy deficit is staggering, with approximately 685 million people—more than half the continent’s population—still without access to electricity.
This crisis hampers economic growth, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life, perpetuating cycles of poverty. In this context, Mission 300 emerges as a bold and transformative plan to bridge the energy divide.
By combining infrastructure investments, renewable energy solutions, and innovative financing models, the program aims to lay the foundation for equitable energy distribution across the continent.
Tanzania’s selection as host for the summit is both strategic and symbolic.
Over the past decade, the country has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding electricity access, achieving remarkable progress in connecting rural and urban communities.
Currently, Tanzania connects approximately 500,000 new households to the grid annually, with over 5.2 million citizens now enjoying access to electricity. By 2030, this number is expected to rise to 7.7 million.
Through its inclusion in Mission 300, Tanzania aims to nearly double its capacity, providing electricity to an additional 8.3 million people within five years.
The ambitious targets of Mission 300 will be supported through the National Energy Compact, a collaborative framework funded by the World Bank, African Development Bank, and other international partners.
This effort will not only accelerate household connections but also prioritize renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal power.
By diversifying its energy mix, Tanzania—and Africa as a whole—stands to gain from enhanced energy security, reduced environmental impact, and greater resilience to climate change.
The socio-economic implications of Mission 300 are profound.
Access to electricity has a transformative effect on communities, enabling advancements in education, healthcare, and small business development.
Electrified schools can adopt digital learning tools, clinics can operate modern medical equipment, and entrepreneurs can scale their businesses, driving local economies forward.
Moreover, increased access to clean energy for cooking will alleviate the health and environmental burdens associated with traditional biomass fuels, particularly for women and children.
Tanzania’s role as host of this pivotal summit underscores its leadership in energy development and its commitment to regional cooperation.
The gathering will bring together leaders from 54 African nations, alongside representatives from international financial institutions and development partners.
This collaborative approach highlights the shared responsibility in addressing Africa’s energy challenges and the potential for collective action to yield tangible results.
Mission 300 represents more than a technical solution to Africa’s energy crisis; it is a vision for the continent’s future.
By prioritizing access to electricity, Africa is laying the groundwork for inclusive growth, enhanced livelihoods, and environmental sustainability.
For Tanzania, the summit is an opportunity to solidify its position as a key player in this transformative agenda, championing the right to energy as a cornerstone of human and economic development.