World Bank Group

11/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/14/2024 18:08

Mission 300: Bringing Electricity to 300 million Africans through Innovation and Partnerships

Access to electricity is foundational to any successful development effort. Yet nearly 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, creating significant barriers to health care, education, productivity, digital inclusivity, resilience and job creation.

Together with partners, the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank have embarked on an ambitious effort to help provide electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030, known as Mission 300. Approximately half of the new connections will be most cost-effectively achieved through primarily private sector-led distributed renewable energy, including mini-grids and off-grid solar. The scale up of renewable energy across Africa will provide affordable electricity access to millions of households, improve quality of live and enable reduction in emissions as people switch to cleaner sources of energy.

The World Bank Group and African Development Bank invite you to join their event at COP29 on November 15 to learn more about innovations and partnerships that translate Mission 300 into action, unlocking investment in off-grid solar and mini-grids to bring energy to communities across Africa.

Master of Ceremonies: Wale Shonibare, Director, Energy Financial Solutions, Policy & Regulations, African Development Bank

Time

Program

13:30 - 13:38

Opening Remarks

Dr. Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, African Development BanK

13:38 - 13:45

Context Setting and Welcoming Panel

Mohamed Gouled, Vice President of Industries, IFC

13:45 - 14:55

Panel Discussion

  • Damilola Ogunbiyi (Moderator), CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All

  • Massouda Baham, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Mauritania

  • Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of International Development, Norway

  • Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO, Acumen

  • Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Vice President of Operations at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)

  • Dr. Daniel Schroth, Director Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, African Development Bank

14:55 - 15:00

Closing Remarks

Franz Drees-Gross, Regional Director for Infrastructure, AFW, World BanK