Dar es Salaam Declaration: Africa Commits to Universal Energy Access
The Dar es Salaam Declaration has marked a significant milestone in Africa’s pursuit of universal energy access, with leaders and development partners committing to electrifying 300 million people by 2030. The commitment was formalized at the African Energy Summit: Mission 300, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from January 27 to 28. Co-hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank Group, the summit focused on expanding renewable energy, securing financing, and implementing policy reforms to bridge Africa’s energy gap.
Key financial commitments were announced to drive the initiative, with the AfDB and the World Bank Group pledging $48 billion in financing through 2030. Other major commitments included £1 billion from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), between $1 billion and $1.5 billion from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and $2.65 billion from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for energy access from 2025 to 2030. The OPEC Fund also committed an initial $1 billion, with more financing expected to follow.
Additionally, AfDB and the World Bank launched Zafiri, a private-sector-led investment platform aimed at mobilizing up to $1 billion to support off-grid and renewable energy solutions.
With Africa’s vast solar, wind, and hydropower resources still largely untapped, leaders at the summit underscored the urgency of accelerating the continent’s transition to clean energy. AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina emphasized the need for decisive policy reforms to improve utility performance, transparency in licensing, and the establishment of predictable tariff regimes to attract investment.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, represented by Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, urged African governments to prioritize energy access, calling it the foundation for economic growth and poverty alleviation. Similarly, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan highlighted the importance of shifting away from reliance on wood and charcoal for cooking energy, which continues to pose environmental and health risks.
Energy experts at the summit stressed the importance of leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) to attract private sector investment. They also advocated for innovative financing mechanisms such as green bonds and concessional funding to support renewable energy projects. The declaration further called for harmonized policies to facilitate cross-border energy trade, with Ethiopia’s renewable energy exports cited as a successful model. Additionally, stakeholders emphasized the role of digitalization in improving energy efficiency, with smart grids and decentralized energy systems seen as key solutions to integrating renewable energy more effectively.
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World Bank President Ajay Banga described electricity as a fundamental human right, stating that without it, economic and social development remains limited. He emphasized that no single entity can address Africa’s energy challenges alone, calling for greater collaboration among governments, businesses, and development banks.
His sentiments were echoed by AfDB Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth, Kevin Kariuki, who noted that energy access is critical to Africa’s economic transformation, unlocking opportunities in education, healthcare, and gender equality.
As Africa moves forward with the implementation of the Dar es Salaam Declaration, the commitments made at the summit signal a clear and actionable roadmap toward energy security and economic empowerment. With funding in place and policy recommendations outlined, the initiative is expected to drive industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable development across the continent.
