By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
ACCESS TO electricity remains a significant challenge across Africa, with millions still living without reliable energy sources.
At the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, African leaders took a firm step towards addressing this issue.
The event, which concluded on Sunday, brought together representatives from 12 countries, including Nigeria, to sign the Dar es Salaam Declaration.
This Declaration sets a bold target to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
The Summit, organised by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Union, African Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank Group, outlined strategic approaches for achieving this goal.
Keys to these strategies are National Energy Compacts, which will tailor energy policies to each country’s unique needs while fostering regional cooperation.
During the event, President Bola Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to providing reliable, affordable electricity to its citizens.
The Nigerian leader also emphasised that energy access must be prioritised for the future growth and prosperity of African nations.
“Let us work together to create a brighter future for our citizens, where every African can access reliable and affordable energy,” he stated in a speech delivered by Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
The Declaration’s signing ceremony, held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre, marked a pivotal moment in the continent’s energy journey, with representatives from Nigeria, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia.
All countries’ 12 leaders committed to delivering on the ambitious energy goals set for 2030, aiming to lift millions out of energy poverty.
In addition to the high-level discussions, President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s significant strides towards achieving energy access.
He cited the $1.1 billion commitment from the AfDB, aimed at providing electricity to 5 million Nigerians by 2026, and the $200 million allocated to the Nigeria Electrification Project, which will benefit 500,000 people by 2025.
Further investments, such as the AfDB’s planned $700 million for the Desert to Power programme and the World Bank’s $750 million initiative to expand mini-grids, are expected to play a crucial role in Nigeria’s energy transformation.
President Tinubu acknowledged the support of international partners like the World Bank and AfDB, whose efforts are crucial in achieving the continent’s energy objectives.
He also noted the importance of ongoing renewable energy projects in Nigeria, such as the development of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure powered by renewable sources.
The first 100 electric buses are already operational in the country, demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to green energy solutions.
The Summit also underscored the need for substantial investments in the energy sector. Nigeria’s National Energy Compact, presented at the event, sets a clear roadmap for expanding power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure.
The government’s focus on reforming the energy sector to ensure financial sustainability and private sector participation is central to Nigeria’s strategy for achieving its energy goals.
To support these efforts, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced a $70 million commitment to Nigerian Renewable Electricity Service Companies (RESCOs), a significant step towards scaling up renewable energy access in rural areas.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) will manage this initiative as part of Nigeria’s broader push to improve energy access for underserved communities.
Looking ahead, President Tinubu reiterated that the Nigerian government has set an investment target of $23.2 billion for last-mile electrification, with both public and private sector involvement.
This ambitious goal highlights the growing recognition that energy access is fundamental to achieving sustainable economic growth and improving the quality of life for millions of Africans, Tinubu stated.
As the Summit concluded, Nigeria’s President Tinubu expressed optimism about Africa’s collective ability to tackle the energy crisis.
“This is an ambitious goal, but we can achieve it together,” he said, rallying his fellow leaders to take action and added that “With this renewed commitment, the future of energy access in Africa looks brighter, and the road to 2030 appears well within reach.”
