Tanzania Prepares for Landmark Africa Energy Conference

Tanzania is finalizing preparations to host the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, a pivotal event aimed at accelerating energy access across the continent. Scheduled for January 27-28, the summit will bring together over 1,500 delegates, including representatives from the African Union, the African Development Bank Group, and the World Bank Group.

The summit, organized by Tanzania in collaboration with key development partners, seeks to advance the goal of providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. Noel Kaganda, Director of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, described the event as a platform for governments, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society to collaborate on achieving universal energy access.

Focus on the Africa Energy Compact

A key highlight of the summit will be the endorsement of the Africa Energy Compact by 14 pilot African nations. These countries collectively account for 52 percent of the global population without electricity and a quarter of the world’s population lacking access to clean cooking solutions, according to Innocent Luoga, Commissioner for Electricity and Renewable Energy in the Ministry of Energy.

The compact is expected to set a framework for achieving sustainable and inclusive energy access across the continent by the end of the decade.

Tanzania’s Energy Developments

The summit also provides a stage for Tanzania to showcase its advancements in energy generation. Gerson Msigwa, the country’s chief government spokesperson, highlighted the progress of the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project (JNHP), which is currently generating 1,410 megawatts from six turbines. Upon completion later this year, the project is expected to produce 2,115 megawatts, significantly boosting Tanzania’s energy capacity.

Msigwa also outlined the government’s commitment to alternative energy projects, including geothermal, solar, and wind power, which are anticipated to add an additional 1,100 megawatts to the national grid.

Regional Collaboration on Energy Access

The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit underscores the urgency of addressing Africa’s energy needs. By bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, Tanzania hopes the event will drive meaningful action to close the energy gap and ensure sustainable development across the continent.