Meneja Wa Makampuni
JF-Expert Member
- Jul 7, 2020
- 7,899
- 10,415
A Vision for Electrifying 300 Million Africans: A Message to President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan on Harnessing Energy Resources for Sustainable Development
Your Excellency, President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of Republic of Tanzania
Congratulations on hosting the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, a landmark event to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on January 27-28, 2025. This historic gathering, hosted by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in collaboration with the African Union, the African Development Bank Group, and the World Bank Group, focuses on accelerating energy access across Africa. It brings together governments, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society to advance the ambitious goal of providing electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030—an initiative known as Mission 300, announced by the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group in April 2024.
With more than 700 million Africans still without electricity, this summit is a vital platform to strategize innovative approaches, address financing needs, and harness Africa’s abundant energy resources for sustainable development. Tanzania’s leadership in hosting this event underscores its pivotal role in shaping Africa’s energy future.
Africa’s solar energy potential is unparalleled, with vast sunlit regions capable of generating immense power to electrify communities and drive economic growth. Large-scale solar farms and decentralized solar systems are key to reaching rural and remote areas. Tanzania has taken significant steps, with projects in regions like Singida and Dodoma providing affordable and clean energy. Expanding investments in solar infrastructure will bring electricity to millions, supporting education, healthcare, and local industries.
Wind energy is another transformative resource, particularly for coastal and highland areas. Countries such as Kenya and Morocco have achieved remarkable success with wind power, and Tanzania is following suit with wind farms in Makambako and Singida. Scaling up wind energy infrastructure will diversify energy systems, stabilize grids, and make electricity accessible to underserved populations.
Hydropower has long been central to Africa’s energy landscape. Major rivers like the Nile, Congo, and Zambezi hold enormous potential for power generation. Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, along with smaller initiatives like Kihansi and Pangani, is a testament to the importance of hydropower in driving industrialization and economic growth. Hydropower projects can provide reliable energy while creating jobs and stimulating development in surrounding areas.
Geothermal energy, abundant along the East African Rift Valley, offers a stable and renewable energy source. Countries like Kenya and Ethiopia have demonstrated the viability of geothermal energy in supporting large-scale electrification. Tanzania is exploring geothermal sites in Mbeya, Songwe, and Lake Natron, positioning itself as a leader in harnessing this untapped potential. Accelerating geothermal projects will enhance energy security and resilience against climate variability.
Natural gas, though not renewable, plays a critical role as a transitional energy source. Tanzania’s vast reserves have enabled the development of power plants such as Kinyerezi and Ubungo, which contribute to meeting urban energy demands and stabilizing the national grid. While transitioning to renewable energy, natural gas will remain a vital part of Africa’s energy mix, ensuring a consistent power supply.
Biomass and waste-to-energy initiatives provide sustainable solutions for rural and semi-urban areas. Agricultural residues and waste materials, such as sugarcane bagasse from Kilombero and Mtibwa, have demonstrated how local resources can generate electricity while reducing environmental impact. Scaling up these initiatives will create new economic opportunities and improve energy access in off-grid regions.
Ocean energy, encompassing tidal and wave power, represents an untapped opportunity for coastal nations. Preliminary studies in Zanzibar and Bagamoyo highlight Tanzania’s potential to leverage its coastline for renewable energy generation. With further research and investment, ocean energy can become a valuable component of the national energy mix.
Connecting these diverse energy sources to the national grid is critical for achieving universal electricity access. Tanzania has made significant investments in expanding its transmission and distribution networks, such as the Backbone Transmission Line. Regional collaborations through initiatives like the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) will further strengthen grid reliability, enabling surplus energy from one country to support another, ensuring equitable energy distribution across the continent.
To meet the ambitious target of providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030, securing adequate funding is essential. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) will play a critical role in unlocking the necessary resources. Governments can work with international development partners, financial institutions such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and bilateral donors to access concessional loans, grants, and technical support. Moreover, creating favorable policies and regulatory frameworks will encourage private sector investment in energy infrastructure. Tax incentives, tariff adjustments, and guarantees can attract investors into renewable energy projects while ensuring affordable energy access for consumers. Strengthening regional and international cooperation will also help mobilize funds, particularly for large-scale cross-border infrastructure projects.
Beyond securing funding, it is crucial to ensure that the energy solutions implemented are scalable and sustainable. Developing and implementing cost-effective energy systems, such as decentralized solar mini-grids and off-grid technologies, will be key to reaching remote and underserved communities. Additionally, improving energy efficiency through smart grids, demand-side management, and energy storage technologies will help optimize the use of renewable resources. Tanzania, for example, can continue to expand its grid infrastructure through projects like the Tanzania–Kenya Power Interconnection, while also advancing smaller decentralized solutions in rural areas to ensure that no one is left behind. Ensuring energy solutions are tailored to local needs and contexts will be critical for long-term sustainability.
Finally, a multi-stakeholder approach that involves governments, the private sector, international financial institutions, and local communities is vital to achieving this goal. Stakeholders must collaborate to develop a detailed action plan, outlining clear roles, responsibilities, and timelines for meeting electrification targets. Governments can prioritize energy access by integrating energy plans into national development strategies and climate action plans, while the private sector can contribute through innovative financing mechanisms, such as green bonds, impact investing, and results-based financing. Local communities should be actively engaged in the process to ensure that energy projects align with their needs, enhance local ownership, and create jobs. Only through collective action and commitment will we achieve universal electricity access in Africa by 2030.
Your Excellency, the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit is more than a conference—it is a call to action. By fully utilizing Africa’s vast energy resources, embracing innovation, and fostering collaboration, we can bring electricity to 300 million people, transforming lives and driving sustainable development. Tanzania’s leadership in hosting this summit highlights its commitment to lighting up Africa and paving the way for a brighter, more connected future for all.
Warm regards,
0687746471
Your Excellency, President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of Republic of Tanzania
Congratulations on hosting the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, a landmark event to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on January 27-28, 2025. This historic gathering, hosted by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in collaboration with the African Union, the African Development Bank Group, and the World Bank Group, focuses on accelerating energy access across Africa. It brings together governments, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society to advance the ambitious goal of providing electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030—an initiative known as Mission 300, announced by the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group in April 2024.
With more than 700 million Africans still without electricity, this summit is a vital platform to strategize innovative approaches, address financing needs, and harness Africa’s abundant energy resources for sustainable development. Tanzania’s leadership in hosting this event underscores its pivotal role in shaping Africa’s energy future.
Africa’s solar energy potential is unparalleled, with vast sunlit regions capable of generating immense power to electrify communities and drive economic growth. Large-scale solar farms and decentralized solar systems are key to reaching rural and remote areas. Tanzania has taken significant steps, with projects in regions like Singida and Dodoma providing affordable and clean energy. Expanding investments in solar infrastructure will bring electricity to millions, supporting education, healthcare, and local industries.
Wind energy is another transformative resource, particularly for coastal and highland areas. Countries such as Kenya and Morocco have achieved remarkable success with wind power, and Tanzania is following suit with wind farms in Makambako and Singida. Scaling up wind energy infrastructure will diversify energy systems, stabilize grids, and make electricity accessible to underserved populations.
Hydropower has long been central to Africa’s energy landscape. Major rivers like the Nile, Congo, and Zambezi hold enormous potential for power generation. Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, along with smaller initiatives like Kihansi and Pangani, is a testament to the importance of hydropower in driving industrialization and economic growth. Hydropower projects can provide reliable energy while creating jobs and stimulating development in surrounding areas.
Geothermal energy, abundant along the East African Rift Valley, offers a stable and renewable energy source. Countries like Kenya and Ethiopia have demonstrated the viability of geothermal energy in supporting large-scale electrification. Tanzania is exploring geothermal sites in Mbeya, Songwe, and Lake Natron, positioning itself as a leader in harnessing this untapped potential. Accelerating geothermal projects will enhance energy security and resilience against climate variability.
Natural gas, though not renewable, plays a critical role as a transitional energy source. Tanzania’s vast reserves have enabled the development of power plants such as Kinyerezi and Ubungo, which contribute to meeting urban energy demands and stabilizing the national grid. While transitioning to renewable energy, natural gas will remain a vital part of Africa’s energy mix, ensuring a consistent power supply.
Biomass and waste-to-energy initiatives provide sustainable solutions for rural and semi-urban areas. Agricultural residues and waste materials, such as sugarcane bagasse from Kilombero and Mtibwa, have demonstrated how local resources can generate electricity while reducing environmental impact. Scaling up these initiatives will create new economic opportunities and improve energy access in off-grid regions.
Ocean energy, encompassing tidal and wave power, represents an untapped opportunity for coastal nations. Preliminary studies in Zanzibar and Bagamoyo highlight Tanzania’s potential to leverage its coastline for renewable energy generation. With further research and investment, ocean energy can become a valuable component of the national energy mix.
Connecting these diverse energy sources to the national grid is critical for achieving universal electricity access. Tanzania has made significant investments in expanding its transmission and distribution networks, such as the Backbone Transmission Line. Regional collaborations through initiatives like the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) will further strengthen grid reliability, enabling surplus energy from one country to support another, ensuring equitable energy distribution across the continent.
To meet the ambitious target of providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030, securing adequate funding is essential. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) will play a critical role in unlocking the necessary resources. Governments can work with international development partners, financial institutions such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and bilateral donors to access concessional loans, grants, and technical support. Moreover, creating favorable policies and regulatory frameworks will encourage private sector investment in energy infrastructure. Tax incentives, tariff adjustments, and guarantees can attract investors into renewable energy projects while ensuring affordable energy access for consumers. Strengthening regional and international cooperation will also help mobilize funds, particularly for large-scale cross-border infrastructure projects.
Beyond securing funding, it is crucial to ensure that the energy solutions implemented are scalable and sustainable. Developing and implementing cost-effective energy systems, such as decentralized solar mini-grids and off-grid technologies, will be key to reaching remote and underserved communities. Additionally, improving energy efficiency through smart grids, demand-side management, and energy storage technologies will help optimize the use of renewable resources. Tanzania, for example, can continue to expand its grid infrastructure through projects like the Tanzania–Kenya Power Interconnection, while also advancing smaller decentralized solutions in rural areas to ensure that no one is left behind. Ensuring energy solutions are tailored to local needs and contexts will be critical for long-term sustainability.
Finally, a multi-stakeholder approach that involves governments, the private sector, international financial institutions, and local communities is vital to achieving this goal. Stakeholders must collaborate to develop a detailed action plan, outlining clear roles, responsibilities, and timelines for meeting electrification targets. Governments can prioritize energy access by integrating energy plans into national development strategies and climate action plans, while the private sector can contribute through innovative financing mechanisms, such as green bonds, impact investing, and results-based financing. Local communities should be actively engaged in the process to ensure that energy projects align with their needs, enhance local ownership, and create jobs. Only through collective action and commitment will we achieve universal electricity access in Africa by 2030.
Your Excellency, the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit is more than a conference—it is a call to action. By fully utilizing Africa’s vast energy resources, embracing innovation, and fostering collaboration, we can bring electricity to 300 million people, transforming lives and driving sustainable development. Tanzania’s leadership in hosting this summit highlights its commitment to lighting up Africa and paving the way for a brighter, more connected future for all.
Warm regards,
0687746471
