Ghana has pledged to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, joining 16 other African nations in endorsing National Energy Compacts under the World Bank and African Development Bank-led Mission 300 initiative.
Speaking at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, President John Mahama emphasized that energy lies at the heart of Ghana’s development agenda.
“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.
Mission 300 aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. Since its launch, 30 million people have already been connected, with another 100 million access points in the pipeline. The Energy Compacts provide roadmaps for investment, policy reform, and innovation to accelerate progress.
Ghana’s pledge reflects a broader continental momentum.
- Botswana’s President Duma Boko said their compact would secure “accessible, reliable and affordable energy as a basic human need” to spur job creation and economic growth.
- Cameroon’s President Paul Biya promised reforms to advance renewables and a low-carbon transition.
- Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso highlighted the country’s 27,000 MW hydro potential, noting it could meet domestic demand and export surplus power sufficient to cover a third of Africa’s electricity needs.
- Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske Selassie pledged to unlock renewable resources and expand regional power integration.
- The Gambia’s President Adama Barrow described electricity access as central to scaling renewables and strengthening governance in the sector.
- Kenya’s President William Ruto called clean energy access a pillar of his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
- Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo outlined plans to position his country as a regional energy hub.
- Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio described their compact as “the most ambitious energy infrastructure initiative ever developed” for the nation.
Development partners stressed the transformative impact of reliable electricity.
World Bank President Ajay Banga called Mission 300 “a historic opportunity,” saying, “Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth. More than a target, Mission 300 is driving reforms that cut costs, strengthen utilities, and attract private investment.”
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.”
With Ghana and its peers backing the Energy Compacts, the World Bank and AfDB say Africa is advancing the most ambitious electricity expansion effort in its history.
