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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, during a meeting in Brussels, announced a joint effort to scale up renewable energy in Africa with the goal of providing electricity to nearly 300 million people by 2030.

Currently, over 600 million people in Africa lack access to electricity, creating an urgent need for coordinated, large-scale action to bridge the gap and meet rising demand. The collaboration, known as Mission 300 and Scaling Up Renewables in Africa, aims to unlock Africa’s growth potential, create job opportunities for youth, and enhance quality of life across the continent.

President von der Leyen emphasized their strategic push for clean energy, stating, “Last November, together with President Ramaphosa, I launched the Scaling up Renewables in Africa campaign to drive critical investment towards this goal. Today, we’re taking it further. We join forces with the World Bank to turbocharge renewable energy deployment on the continent.”

The initiative, which was introduced last year, seeks commitments from governments, financial institutions, the private sector, and philanthropists to boost renewable power generation.

World Bank President Banga highlighted the broader impact of energy access, stating, “Electricity is more than power—it’s the foundation of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth. It is a fundamental human right. Mission 300 is about connecting 300 million people to reliable, affordable electricity so small businesses can grow and young people can be prepared for the jobs of the future.”

The collaboration aims to attract investment, improve utility efficiency, and ensure sustainable, reliable electricity. This partnership will culminate at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa in November 2025, where the push for financing sustainable energy projects in Africa will be further advanced.