President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for urgent action to address Africa’s energy paradox, where vast natural resources exist alongside widespread electricity shortages. Speaking at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Tinubu emphasized the need for collective efforts to close the continent’s energy gap, describing the current reality as "unacceptable."
The summit, hosted by the Tanzanian government in partnership with the African Union (AU), African Development Bank (AfDB), and World Bank Group, saw leaders from 12 African nations adopt the Dar es Salaam Declaration—a commitment to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Commitment to Energy Transformation
Representing President Tinubu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, underscored the country’s dedication to expanding electricity access, reaffirming Tinubu’s pledge to make energy access a top national priority.
“As we all know, Africa is rich in energy resources, yet millions of our citizens still lack access to reliable and affordable power. This situation is unacceptable. It is our responsibility to take collective action to change this narrative,” Tinubu stated.
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Nigeria’s Energy Roadmap
The President detailed Nigeria’s progress in tackling its energy deficit, highlighting key investments:
- AfDB’s $1.1 billion commitment, expected to provide electricity for 5 million Nigerians by 2026.
- $200 million under the Nigeria Electrification Project, targeting power for 500,000 people by 2025.
- $700 million planned investment in the Desert to Power programme and $500 million for a Grid Battery Energy Storage System, aiming to electrify 2 million more people.
- World Bank’s $750 million support for expanding distributed energy access via mini-grids and standalone solar systems, expected to benefit 16.2 million Nigerians.
A United Front for Africa’s Energy Future
The Dar es Salaam Declaration was signed by leaders from Nigeria, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Under this framework, each country will develop National Energy Compacts to implement policy measures and achieve set electrification targets.
Tinubu urged African leaders to prioritize energy access, emphasizing its role in economic growth, industrial development, and poverty reduction.
“Let us work together to create a brighter future for our citizens—where every African can access reliable and affordable energy; a future where our industries thrive, our economies grow, and our people prosper,” he declared.
After the summit, President Tinubu returned to Abuja at 7:40 PM, where he was received by senior government officials.
