Mission 300’s Engagement with the Private Sector

June 2025 | Africa Energy Forum

Mission 300’s ambition to bring electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030 was one of the headline themes at aef 2025. But during Thursday’s session, “Mission 300’s Engagement with the Private Sector,” it became evident that the real test lies in translating that ambition into action.

With approximately 130 projects in its portfolio, Mission 300 could reach its full target if these are implemented effectively. However, as Andrew Herscowitz, CEO of the Mission 300 Accelerator, pointed out, “Just because you have projects doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to move forward on time… the private sector is the most important part of Mission 300, because it doesn’t work without it.” Private sector contributions were at the forefront throughout the discussion. Off-grid innovators such as d.light and CrossBoundary Group were praised for their leapfrogging models in rural electrification. Meanwhile, the launch of Zafiri—a $1 billion investment vehicle developed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank—emerged as a key development. Zafiri is set to support mini-grids and solar home systems across sub-Saharan Africa, with the potential to connect 30 million people by 2030.

Another standout case was Weza Power in Burundi, Africa’s first national-scale private electricity distribution company. With only 12% of the country’s population connected to electricity, Weza’s model—combining commercial equity, concessional finance, and donor support—could lift nine million people out of energy poverty.

Nevertheless, persistent challenges were candidly acknowledged. Financing remains a barrier, especially in local currencies. High interest rates and affordability concerns persist at the end-user level. Yet the atmosphere remained optimistic, bolstered by the Dar es Salaam Declaration and growing alignment between ministries across energy, finance, and planning.

As Wale Shonibare of the AfDB noted, African ministers are increasingly acting as investment promoters, courting private capital with urgency and clarity.

The message was clear: if Mission 300 is to succeed, it will be through bold partnerships, smart financing models, and a united drive to scale. And if aef 2025 is any indication, that momentum has already begun.

For full coverage of the discussions and deeper insights into the industry leaders and stakeholders that came together at aef 2025, explore the Post Forum Report.