Africa Energy Summit 2025: Driving collective action for continent’s sustainable future
What you need to know:
- Several high-profile individuals, who spoke at The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit highlighted the need for stronger partnerships among the public and private sectors as well as the multilateral financiers to address Africa’s energy needs.
Dar es Salaam. The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit 2025 opened officially in the city yesterday, with a call for collective efforts to meet the continent’s ambitious energy targets and addressing key challenges that impede Africans’ access to electricity.
Several high-profile individuals, who spoke at The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit highlighted the need for stronger partnerships among the public and private sectors as well as the multilateral financiers to address Africa’s energy needs.
Among the distinguished personalities who spoke during the first-day of the event yesterday included Tanzania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Dotto Biteko, Finance Minister, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, the Deputy Managing Director of IMF, Mr Bo Li, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga and President of the Rockefeller Foundation, Dr Rajiv Shah.
According to Mr Li, a modest investment of $25 billion annually in Africa’s renewable energy sector could increase electricity production by 20 percent.
The Minister for Finance, Mwigulu Nchemba (right), greets the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, during the Africa Energy Summit 2025 in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | SUNDAY GEORGE
Renewable energy lies at the core of Africa’s potential for economic growth, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development.
According to Mr Li, investments in this sector could also elevate GDP growth by 0.8 percent annually over the next decade. As such, he said, African governments must take the lead in creating an environment that attracts sustainable financing.
“Strengthening governance and transparency, enacting sound regulations are vital to increasing sustainable finance flows,” he said, pointing to tools like power-purchase agreements, feed-in tariffs, and renewable energy targets as ways to assure investors of future returns.
The IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) has emerged as a crucial initiative to support African countries in addressing their energy and climate challenges.
“Our $48 billion RST helps low income and vulnerable middle income countries build resilience,” said Mr Li. “So far, we have approved $10 billion for 21 countries, more than half of which are in Africa.”
Strengthening public-private partnerships
And according to Dr Adesina, African governments, the private sector players and other stakeholders need concerted efforts to drive universal electricity access, job creation and industrialisation, as part of Africa’s strategy to unlock its vast economic potential.
“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 more than 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.
The President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga speaks during Africa Energy Summit 2025 in Dar es Salaam on January 27, 2025. PHOTO | SUNDAY GEORGE
Speaking at the event, Mr Banga stressed the importance of collective efforts to meet Africa’s ambitious energy targets, calling for stronger partnerships, particularly with the private sector.
He reiterated the World Bank’s commitment to supporting energy projects across the continent, urging stakeholders to come together to make these goals a reality.
“The aim of this summit is to build on the work initiated several months ago, where 12 countries reached energy agreements. Our shared goal is to develop strategies that will bring electricity access to 300 million people,” Mr Banga said.
He noted that starting with a manageable number of countries would ensure the goal is achievable, but stressed that coordinated efforts and substantial resources would be required to achieve the target.
“Overcoming the energy challenges Africa faces requires aligning policies, securing funding, and creating actionable frameworks,” he added, emphasising the need for collaboration among governments, the private sector, and international organisations.
Mr Banga further underscored the importance of creating predictable environments for investment.
He said resolving issues like land acquisition and financing would be crucial in ensuring the long-term success of energy projects.
“Our priority is to make energy investments viable by addressing key challenges, which we refer to as ‘agreements’—foundations for sustainable energy solutions,” he explained.
In a nod to regional cooperation, Mr Banga pointed to Tanzania’s collaboration with four neighbouring countries on energy initiatives. Discussions are already underway with a fifth partner.
The World Bank President also called on the private sector to play a pivotal role in Africa’s energy transition, stressing that the sector’s involvement is essential for the success of large-scale projects.
“The question is whether the private sector can trust and invest in this mission. The World Bank is committed to funding these projects, but their success depends on the creation of a stable and predictable environment for private investment,” he noted.
Speaking on the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Mr Banga emphasised their importance in job creation across Africa.
He said the World Bank, in partnership with governments and humanitarian organisations, was offering low-interest loans and grants to foster the growth of SMEs in energy and other sectors.
President of the Rockefeller Foundation, Dr Rajiv Shah, has expressed optimism that Africa will be at the forefront of achieving universal energy access by 2030, following the ongoing Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Dr Rajiv Shah expressed optimism that Africa will be at the forefront of achieving universal energy access by 2030, praising the collective efforts of African leaders, investors and stakeholders, describing the event as a pivotal moment in the continent’s energy transformation.
The President of the Rockefeller Foundation, Dr Rajiv Shah speaks during Africa Energy Summit 2025 in Dar es Salaam on January 27, 2025. PHOTO | SUNDAY GEORGE
He stressed the importance of collaboration and innovation in unlocking Africa’s immense potential.
“This summit is a pivotal moment for Africa’s future,” Dr Shah said. “It brings together leadership, investment, and innovation to unlock the immense potential of this continent.”
The summit has brought together nearly 30 African heads of state, over 200 CEOs from the private sector, investors, and other key stakeholders to discuss strategies for accelerating energy access across the continent.
Dr Shah highlighted the significance of the event, noting the ownership African nations are taking in shaping their energy future.
“The fact that more than two dozen African heads of state have come together to issue compacts, sign declarations, and outline policy and regulatory reforms is remarkable,” he said. “This summit is not just symbolic—it’s a declaration of Africa’s commitment to its own future.”
The Minister for Finance Mwigulu Nchemba raised similar sentiments, urging African countries to collaborate with development partners, commercial banks and impact investors as one of the strategies to address electricity challenges in the continent.
“To address the electricity access challenges, we must strive and put together our technical abilities and financial resources. We must prioritise financing energy sectors,” said Dr Nchemba during one of the sessions.
Tanzania’s leadership role
Officiating the opening of the meeting, Tanzania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to driving energy security and clean energy adoption. Dr Biteko outlined Tanzania’s vision for energy development, emphasising the need for collaboration to achieve large-scale electrification.
“We are striving to ensure that over the next five years, at least 300 million people across Africa will gain access to electricity,” he said. “This is an achievable target, and Tanzania is proud to play its part in making this a reality.”
Reflecting on the country’s energy progress since independence, Dr Biteko highlighted significant growth. “When we gained independence, Tanzania had only 21 megawatts of electricity. Today, we have expanded to over 3,160 megawatts,” he noted, stressing that energy development has transformed lives and industries. Despite these gains, he acknowledged persistent challenges, citing an estimated 571 million Africans who still lack access to electricity.
“This is unacceptable, and it is why summits like this are crucial. They provide a platform for collaboration, innovation, and investment,” he said.
With Africa’s energy needs rising, Dr Biteko underscored Tanzania’s commitment to expanding its energy capacity to 4,000 megawatts by the end of the year. He said that 61 percent of this new capacity would come from clean, renewable sources, ensuring sustainability and long-term energy security.
Dr Biteko also placed particular focus on clean cooking energy, a key priority for Tanzania’s leadership.
“President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been a champion for clean cooking energy, which is essential for the health and well-being of millions of Africans,” he said. “This summit must focus on how we can accelerate the adoption of clean cooking solutions across the continent.”
He stressed the importance of reducing reliance on traditional fuels such as charcoal and firewood, which pose environmental and health risks. To achieve this, he called for stronger partnerships between governments, private investors, and international organisations.
Regional energy cooperation
Tanzania has also strengthened regional energy ties, connecting its power grid with neighbouring countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda.
“We are working to expand these connections, including linking the grid with Zanzibar, which will further integrate us into the regional energy market,” Dr Biteko stated.
This collaborative approach, he added, is crucial for fostering economic growth and supporting industries such as mining, manufacturing, and tourism. “We need more investment in the energy sector to meet the growing demand in these industries,” he urged.
A call for bold action
Tanzania’s hosting of the Africa Energy Summit 2025 highlights its growing influence in shaping the continent’s energy future. Dr Biteko stressed that the summit must go beyond discussions to deliver concrete solutions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, speaks during Africa Energy Summit 2025 in Dar es Salaam on January 27, 2025. PHOTO | COURTESY
“We need to take bold, coordinated steps to address Africa’s energy challenges,” he said. “The conversations and partnerships emerging from this summit will be key to ensuring that Africa’s energy future is bright, sustainable, and inclusive.”
With Africa’s energy demand expected to surge due to urbanisation and industrialisation, the need for scalable and sustainable solutions is more urgent than ever.
Dr Biteko expressed confidence that the outcomes of the summit would drive meaningful action, positioning Tanzania as a leader in Africa’s energy transition. “This summit marks a new chapter in our collective journey towards energy security, and I am confident that we will achieve great things together.”
An energy economist from Kenya, Dr Paul Hinga, commended the IMF’s commitment but noted that substantial challenges remain.
“The IMF’s readiness to fund renewable energy is a game-changer for Africa. However, the effectiveness of these funds depends on how well countries implement the necessary reforms,” he said.
“Governments must prioritise policy alignment and transparency to attract both public and private investments.”
Dr Hinga added that Africa’s energy sector requires a balance of external and domestic investments to ensure sustainable growth.
“While external financing bridges gaps, governments must develop domestic capital markets and encourage local participation,” he said.
On the technical side, a renewable energy consultant based in South Africa, Ms Linda Mwase, highlighted to The Citizen at the corridors of the summit, the importance of regional cooperation.
“Africa’s renewable energy resources are immense, but they are unevenly distributed,” she explained. “For example, North Africa has abundant solar potential, while Southern Africa is rich in wind resources. Collaboration across borders is essential to maximise these opportunities.”
Ms Mwase also urged governments to focus on long-term energy policies. “The IMF’s emphasis on policy reforms is critical. Stable, predictable regulatory environments will encourage investment and ensure that renewable energy projects have lasting impacts,” she said.
An 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.”
The Summit
The Mission 300 Energy Summit has attracted 2,600 participants from both within and outside Tanzania.
The two-day event is also gathering 24 African Heads of State, hosted by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and representatives from 21 other African nations, and leaders of six international organisations, who are discussing energy and electricity challenges in the continent.
The summit, which has drawn policymakers, industry leaders, and energy experts from around the world, aims to tackle Africa’s energy challenges and unlock its vast potential. The ultimate goal is to ensure universal electricity access for all Africans.
