Ghana has pledged to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, joining 16 other African nations in endorsing National Energy Compacts under the World Bank and African Development Bank-led Mission 300 initiative.

Speaking at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, President John Mahama said energy is central to Ghana’s development goals.

“Ghana believes universal energy access is key to empowering businesses, reducing poverty, and creating equal opportunities.

"This goal can only be achieved through strong government–private sector partnerships, supported by an enabling environment for sustainable investment.”

Mission 300 seeks to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.

Since its launch, 30 million people have already gained access, with another 100 million connections in the pipeline.

The Energy Compacts provide practical blueprints for investment, reform, and policy innovation.

Ghana’s commitment mirrors a wave of ambitious pledges across the continent.

Botswana’s President Duma Boko said their compact would ensure “accessible, reliable and affordable energy as a basic human need” to drive job creation and economic transformation.

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya promised reforms to promote renewable energy and build a low-carbon future.

The Republic of Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso highlighted his country’s vast hydro potential of 27,000 MW, saying it could not only achieve universal access but also export surplus power to cover more than one-third of Africa’s electricity needs.

Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske Selassie underscored a push to unlock renewable resources and expand regional power integration.

The Gambia’s President Adama Barrow described electricity access as central to scaling renewables, improving infrastructure, and transforming governance in the sector.

Other countries pledged bold reforms. Kenya’s President William Ruto said clean power access was a cornerstone of his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo spoke of positioning his country as a regional energy powerhouse.

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio called their compact “the most ambitious energy infrastructure initiative ever developed” for the country.

World Bank President Ajay Banga framed Mission 300 as a historic opportunity.

“Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth. That’s why Mission 300 is more than a target—it is forging enduring reforms that slash costs, strengthen utilities, and draw in private investment.”

African Development Bank President Dr Sidi Ould Tah added: “Reliable, affordable power is the fastest multiplier for small and medium enterprises, agro-processing, digital work, and industrial value-addition. Give a young entrepreneur power, and you’ve given them a paycheck.”

With Ghana and its peers backing the Energy Compacts, the World Bank and AfDB say Africa is advancing on the most ambitious electricity expansion drive in history.