4 M300 INITIATIVE REVIEW According to WBG data, the period from July 1, 2023 to February 28, 2025 was marked by significant progress in access to electricity on the African continent. Indeed, more than 21 million people gained access to electricity thanks to WBG interventions and financing — a testament to the tangible impact of efforts aimed at alleviating energy poverty. This positive momentum is expected to continue in the coming years, with projects currently under implementation or in preparation aiming to raise the total number of beneficiaries in Sub- Saharan Africa to 300 million people by 2030. Specific to the countries of the Africa Group II, the WBG’s financial commitments under this initiative amount to US$1.2 billion for the period covering Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025, underscoring the priority given to this group of nations within the institution’s energy strategy. Furthermore, since the launch of the "Mission 300" initiative — aimed at accelerating universal access to electricity in Africa — the countries of the Africa Group II have played a leading role. Of the 29 beneficiary African nations that have developed "National Energy Compacts," 14 belong to the Africa Group II: Benin, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Union of the Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritania, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Chad, and Togo. The 14 national energy pacts signed by these countries constitute a structuring strategic framework designed to accelerate sectoral reforms, mobilize public and private investment, and strengthen institutional capacities, with the aim of ensuring universal, reliable, and sustainable access to electricity. For these countries, the combined commitments aim to provide approximately 187.3 million people with access to electricity by 2030, an ambitious objective which requires an estimated investment of $104.3 billion. The financing structure presented in the following graph highlights a majority contribution from the private sector, accounting for 54% of total investment requirements, compared to 38% for the public sector. This breakdown reflects a strategic orientation based on the increased mobilization of private capital to complement limited public resources. In this context, the success of energy compacts will depend significantly on the effective implementation of credible political, institutional, and regulatory reforms aimed at improving the sector’s financial viability, strengthening governance, and creating an environment conducive to investment. In line with the approach of Maximizing Finance for Development, the mobilization of private capital — supported by concessional financing and risk-sharing instruments — constitutes a key lever for accelerating access to electricity, bolstering local private sector development, fostering job creation, and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth. In this regard, the Office of the Executive Director — in accordance with its 2025–2026 Strategic Plan — will continue to advocate for increased, strategic, and coordinated mobilization of concessional resources, particularly from IDA, in order to catalyze investment, mitigate risks, and support member countries in achieving their universal electrification goals. E N E R G Y
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