AfDB President pushes for immediate action for Africa's energy future at Dar es Salaam Summit

Dar es Salaam. The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has called for immediate action from African governments, private sector players, and other stakeholders to drive universal electricity access, job creation, and industrialisation, as part of Africa’s strategy to unlock its vast economic potential.

Dr Adesina delivered his keynote address at the Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Monday, stressing the urgency of establishing a reliable energy infrastructure across the continent.

“Africa needs electricity, jobs, and industrialisation to harness its full potential,” he declared, urging African nations to prioritise reliable and affordable energy access as a key driver of economic development.

A key highlight of his speech was the launch of the ‘Africa Energy Regulatory Index’, a tool designed to track and measure progress in improving energy infrastructure across African nations.

“This is all about accountability, transparency, and delivery,” Dr Adesina remarked. “It’s about enabling Africa to develop with pride.”

He underscored the economic implications of inadequate power supply, revealing that Africa loses between three and four per cent of its GDP due to energy deficiencies, with over 600 million people lacking access to reliable and affordable electricity.

Dr Adesina linked the energy crisis to migration, drawing an analogy to nature: “When we say Africans are migrating, look, even insects migrate. They move from where there’s darkness to where there’s light. If you want to tackle migration, make sure Africa has 100 per cent access to electricity.”

He said energy access was fundamental to fostering sustainable livelihoods, creating jobs, and driving industrialisation. “Without electricity, there can be no industrialisation. Without industrialisation, there can be no transformation,” he added.

Dr Adesina described the summit as a critical platform for collaboration, stating, “This summit is not just about discussions; it’s about unlocking and propelling Africa’s potential. We must work together to make Africa globally competitive and prosperous.”

Reiterating the need for a collective approach to resolving the continent’s energy crisis, he pointed out that Africa accounts for 83 per cent of the world’s population without access to electricity, making it a pressing global development issue.

“We need every stakeholder on board—heads of state, governments, the private sector, development banks, and civil society. Achieving universal electricity access requires a unified effort,” he said.

A major initiative unveiled at the summit was ‘Mission 300’, a large-scale partnership aimed at expanding energy access across Africa. Dr Adesina highlighted that this initiative would be spearheaded by individual African nations in collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuring that even remote areas benefit from improved energy infrastructure.

He urged African leaders to increase budget allocations for energy infrastructure, particularly in energy distribution networks, to ensure power reaches all corners of society.

Supporting his call for action, energy expert Dr Ibra Somange from Uganda underscored the significance of coordinated efforts in transforming Africa’s energy landscape.

“We are at a crossroads. Africa has the potential to lead in renewable energy solutions, but this requires collective action to overcome existing challenges,” Dr Somange stated.

“The Africa Energy Summit is the right platform to bring key players together and drive real, tangible progress.”

Dr Adesina exuded optimism, stressing that with strategic planning, collaboration, and investment, Africa can emerge as a global leader in energy transformation.

“The future of Africa is bright, but it begins with reliable and sustainable electricity. Together, we can secure the energy future that Africa deserves,” he said.

The Africa Energy Summit is expected to continue fostering dialogue and cooperation, driving forward Africa’s energy agenda and shaping its economic future.