Mission 300: Measuring Progress and Opportunities

The World Bank’s new Mission 300 Progress Portal offers the clearest view yet of how far we’ve come — and how far we still need to go — to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.

The numbers tell a powerful story: 32 million people have already gained access through World Bank supported programs, with another 157 million expected from approved and planned projects. Together, that gives line of sight to roughly 189 million of its 250 million-connection commitment under Mission 300 — a remarkable signal of progress and proof that large-scale delivery is possible when governments, development partners, and the private sector move in sync.

Tangible Progress and Transparency

World Bank Group (WBG) connection rates are already 1.5 times faster than just over a year ago, before Mission 300 was launched. The WBG has also mobilized more than $8 billion in concessional financing, and 30 countries are advancing National Energy Compacts.

A solar mini-grid installation expanding clean energy access in Petauke district, Eastern Zambia.

Now, for the first time, progress is visible in real time. The dashboard brings a new level of transparency and accountability — showing what’s working, where we can go further, and how collective action is turning ambition into opportunity.

As our colleagues at the World Bank note in their recent blog, Mission 300: Building momentum for energy access in Africa, transparency and collaboration are central to sustaining momentum and ensuring progress remains visible for all partners.

This momentum is more than a metric. It signals a shift in mindset — from energy scarcity to the promise of energy abundance. Every connection brings Africa closer to a future where power fuels prosperity, productivity, and dignity.

The Clock Is Ticking

But even with this acceleration, the challenge ahead remains steep. Many of us have been working in this space for a very long time, and we know what needs to be done, including crowding in more partners, more resources, more action, and even greater accountability among ourselves and our partner countries.

Andrew Herscowitz, CEO of the Mission 300 Accelerator, learns about MySol’s solar-powered technologies that are helping expand affordable, reliable electricity access across rural Africa.

This new data shows us that despite significant progress, the WBG still needs to identify projects to bring electricity to an additional 61 million people to meet its 250-million-person pledge- a goal within reach.

We also need to track the African Development Bank’s progress against its commitment to bring electricity to 50 million people, which will bring us closer to 300 million.

Unleashing Energy for Development

Understanding what types of connections Mission 300 is delivering is also essential. Some will be basic solar home systems that light homes and charge phones, which is important. Others will be mini grid or grid connections that can also power appliances and tools that will help generate new jobs, boost productivity, and increase incomes.

Ultimately, Mission 300 is about unleashing the power of energy to change lives and grow economies. It’s no coincidence that the five African countries with the largest job gaps — Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda — are the same countries with the largest unelectrified populations. Mission 300 has transformational potential, and our design and metrics must drive towards this.

Partners from MySol and ENGIE showcase off-grid solar technology at a mini-grid site.

Every connection matters: power for jobs, health, schools, farmers, small businesses, and even data centers — everything needed to power a modern economy. This is what the fight against energy poverty is really about — economic growth and human dignity.

To meet our goal, electricity must reach an average of more than 4 million people each month between now and December 2030, which will not happen right away. We expect a sharp uptick in electrical connections by 2028, as projects approved in 2025 and 2026 come online. All told, the next five years will determine whether Africa closes the world’s largest energy-access gap — or risks leaving millions behind.

A Call to Accelerate

Mission 300’s first-year results show what’s possible. Now we must go faster. That means:

Expanding partnerships — especially with the private sector — to close the financing gap;
Scaling innovation in technology, finance, and delivery models; and
Increasing our partnerships — we need even more collaboration than what we have.

We are at an inflection point. New technologies, digital tools, and business models are making universal access both achievable and investable. We also need to keep working people up the energy ladder so that they have not only light in their homes but also productive levels of electricity to power jobs. The foundation is strong. The plan is working. The pathway is clear. But time is short — and complacency is the enemy of progress.

Mission 300’s success will depend on how quickly we move. The data is now clearer, along with the opportunity. The time to act is now, and The Rockefeller Foundation remains fully committed to ensuring Mission 300 delivers on its vision of energy as the foundation for inclusive, sustainable development — powering progress in health, education, gender equity, enterprise growth, and climate resilience.