The declaration, adopted at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, is a major milestone in addressing Africa’s energy deficit, where more than 600 million people remain without electricity.

The Mission 300 initiative, supported by governments, development banks, private sector players, and philanthropic organizations, seeks to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.

At the summit, partners committed over $50 billion in financing to accelerate energy expansion efforts.

The declaration will be submitted for formal adoption at the African Union Summit in February.

National Energy Compacts: Country-Specific Strategies

Twelve African nations—Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia—introduced National Energy Compacts, outlining specific strategies for electricity expansion, renewable energy integration, and attracting private sector investment. The key priorities within these compacts include:

• Expanding affordable power generation and grid infrastructure.
• Enhancing regional energy cooperation for improved efficiency.
• Strengthening utility performance and advancing clean cooking solutions.
• Leveraging satellite and electronic mapping technologies for cost-effective electricity access solutions.

Successful execution of these plans will require strong political commitment, policy reforms, and the engagement of Mission 300 partners. Concessional financing will also play a crucial role in encouraging private investment in the energy sector.

Financial Commitments and New Investment Platforms

International development institutions announced significant funding pledges at the summit, reinforcing Africa’s energy development agenda:

• African Development Bank Group & World Bank Group: $48 billion for energy access initiatives through 2030.
• Agence Française de Développement (AFD): €1 billion for energy expansion.
• Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): $1 billion – $1.5 billion in funding support.
• Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group: $2.65 billion between 2025 and 2030.
• OPEC Fund: $1 billion for energy access programs.

Additionally, the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank introduced Zafiri, an investment platform dedicated to scaling private sector-driven solutions such as renewable mini-grids and solar home systems.

The first phase of Zafiri will see anchor partners contributing $300 million, with the objective of mobilizing $1 billion to bridge Africa’s energy financing gap.

The commitments made at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit underscore the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in addressing Africa’s energy challenges.  

“By integrating innovative financing mechanisms with policy reforms and private sector collaboration, Mission 300 is poised to deliver tangible results and improve millions of lives,” remarked a summit representative.

Summit Organization and Key Partners

The summit was hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania in collaboration with the African Union, the African Development Bank, and the World Bank Group. Strategic support was provided by key organizations including:

• The Rockefeller Foundation
• Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP)
• Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)
• Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)
• Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa

The programme, revealed by Microsoft Africa President Lillian Barnard, is designed to provide participants with industry-recognised certifications, preparing them for opportunities in the global digital economy.

This initiative builds on Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to enhance digital skills in Africa.

Over the past five years, the company has trained four million individuals across the continent and now aims to reach 30 million more within the next five years.

The new programme will focus on AI-driven technologies, cybersecurity fundamentals, and digital transformation, addressing the increasing demand for tech expertise in South Africa and beyond.

While Barnard did not disclose the financial investment behind the initiative, she underscored the importance of digital skills in shaping the future workforce.

By equipping individuals in business, government, and youth sectors with essential technological knowledge, Microsoft hopes to drive innovation, improve employability, and support economic growth across Africa.

As AI and cybersecurity become critical components of the digital economy, Microsoft’s initiative is expected to play a crucial role in bridging the skills gap in South Africa.

The initiative aims to mitigate the impact of erratic weather patterns, including droughts and floods, which threaten agricultural livelihoods in these regions.

Supported by Bayer’s Crop Science division, the collaboration will provide financial protection to farmers facing yield losses due to extreme climate events.

Through innovative, data-driven agricultural insurance solutions, farmers will receive compensation for crop damage, enabling them to recover and reinvest in their farms while building resilience against future climate challenges.

To facilitate this ambitious initiative, Bayer Foundation has committed €10 million from its Social Innovation Ecosystem Fund.

This funding is expected to unlock approximately $127 million in insurance coverage for smallholder farmers.

Implementation will be carried out in coordination with national governments and local stakeholders to ensure widespread accessibility and impact.

Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, Matthias Berninger, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Science, and Sustainability at Bayer, stated:

“Smallholder farmers face mounting challenges as climate change intensifies. We must equip them to feed their communities and contribute to global food security.”

Rodrigo Santos, President of Bayer’s Crop Science division, emphasized the company’s dedication to sustainable agricultural solutions, noting:

“This partnership with Pula Foundation is a critical step toward building climate resilience for smallholders.”

The partnership builds upon a successful pilot project launched in Zimbabwe in 2021, which initially insured 31,000 farmers and expanded to over one million farmers within three years.

Rose Goslinga, Director of Pula Foundation, stressed the importance of insurance for smallholder farmers, stating:

“Insurance empowers farmers to prepare for volatile climates, reducing reliance on external aid and fostering long-term sustainability.”

The program combines SunCulture’s innovative solar-powered irrigation systems with Turaco’s affordable insurance solutions to offer protection against the increasing challenges posed by climate change.

As climate-related extreme weather events grow more frequent and severe, millions of Africans face heightened health risks and economic instability.

Recognizing the need for effective risk mitigation strategies, SunCulture Protect provides health and life insurance coverage to smallholder farmers utilizing SunCulture’s pay-as-you-go (PAYG) irrigation systems.

The initiative ensures farmers and their families are financially protected from medical expenses and other unforeseen challenges linked to climate change.

Samir Ibrahim, CEO of SunCulture, expressed the company’s dedication to empowering smallholder farmers.

“Our mission has always been to help farmers grow more food and improve their livelihoods. This partnership with Turaco allows us to go further by offering financial security and peace of mind to our customers,” he stated.

Turaco CEO Ted Pantone highlighted the importance of accessible insurance in addressing the vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change:

“By partnering with SunCulture, we can deliver essential coverage that protects livelihoods and fosters resilience among smallholder farmers,” Pantone remarked.

The joint effort seeks to promote financial security and well-being, equipping farmers with tools to adapt to the challenges of a changing climate.

The collaboration marks a significant milestone for Moove, which has rapidly gained recognition for providing innovative vehicle financing solutions tailored to mobility entrepreneurs.

Launched in 2020, Moove connects underserved entrepreneurs with accessible, revenue-based vehicle financing options.

By integrating its alternative credit scoring technology onto ride-hailing platforms, Moove uses proprietary performance and revenue analytics to provide financial services to individuals typically excluded from traditional financing systems.

Operating across nine markets in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, and now based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Moove has facilitated over 30 million trips with its vehicles, serving 20,000 customers to date.

Earlier this year, the company secured $100 million in a Series B funding round, bringing its total capital raised to over $460 million and valuing the company at $750 million.

The partnership with Waymo, formerly known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project, will see Moove contribute to Waymo’s expansion in the US.

Starting in 2025, Moove will take over fleet operations in Phoenix, one of Waymo’s most established markets, and play a key role in launching Waymo’s services in Miami in 2026.

As part of the collaboration, Moove will manage the deployment of Waymo’s autonomous vehicle fleet within the Waymo One ride-hailing service. 

Responsibilities include overseeing fleet operations, managing charging infrastructure, and optimizing vehicle availability to ensure a seamless, safe, and sustainable user experience.

“This partnership marks a defining moment in our journey to revolutionize mobility as we know it, and places Moove at the forefront of the commercial autonomous vehicle revolution on a global scale,” Moove said in a statement.

Moove’s co-founder and co-CEO, Ladi Delano, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership:

“Ride-hailing has reshaped urban mobility over the past 15 years, but the core experience has remained largely unchanged. Waymo’s safe, reliable, and convenient Waymo One service is leading the autonomous revolution, and we’re proud to bring our expertise to this pivotal transformation,” he said.

Her new term will begin on September 1, 2025, extending her groundbreaking leadership as the first woman and first African to head the global trade body.

The reappointment process commenced on October 8, 2024, under the guidance of Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the WTO General Council.

With no additional nominations submitted by the November 8 deadline, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stood unopposed.

Her candidacy was finalized during a special session of the General Council on November 28-29, 2024, following a presentation of her vision for the organization and a subsequent Q&A with member nations.

Ambassador Ølberg praised Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s achievements, highlighting her leadership through challenging periods.

“Her guidance has been instrumental in strengthening the WTO’s capacity and relevance,” he remarked.

Ølberg also acknowledged her commitment to fostering inclusivity and advancing a fair global trading system.

Since assuming office on March 1, 2021, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has made significant strides in rebuilding trust in the WTO and enhancing its role in addressing complex global trade issues. 

Her agenda includes strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms, promoting inclusive trade practices, and addressing emerging challenges like digital trade and climate adaptation.

Expressing her gratitude for the continued support, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stated:

“The WTO has a vital role in fostering economic resilience, and I am committed to driving reforms that reflect the needs of all members. Together, we will shape a fair, rules-based trading system that benefits everyone.”

The newly formed company will focus on providing and installing Starlink services across Kenya, bringing advanced connectivity solutions to underserved areas.

This move follows Paratus’ designation as an authorized reseller of Starlink’s low earth orbit (LEO) satellite services across Africa, a milestone achieved last year.

Paratus Kenya’s establishment comes shortly after the company launched operations in Eswatini, signaling its growing footprint on the continent.

MoveOn Telecoms Limited, licensed by the Communications Authority of Kenya since 2015, brings extensive experience in telecom solutions.

The partnership aims to leverage MoveOn’s expertise and Paratus’ network capabilities to deliver stable and reliable internet connectivity, critical for economic growth and digital transformation in Kenya.

Joseph Kibwott, Managing Director of Paratus Kenya, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting its potential impact.

“Paratus Kenya is committed to driving economic development and GDP growth by creating jobs directly and indirectly. Stable and reliable internet connectivity plays a pivotal role in this mission, providing access to e-government services, remote work opportunities, real-time security solutions, and telemedicine. Enhanced connectivity in remote areas will empower Kenyans and foster growth in local economies,” he said.

Martin Cox, Chief Commercial Officer of Paratus Group, emphasized the strategic importance of the expansion.

“Opening in East Africa has been one of our primary objectives, and this marks a significant milestone. It’s a giant step forward in our mission to connect underserved African countries south of the equator. We are thrilled to partner with MoveOn and to bring Starlink services to Kenya.”

This initiative, set to launch in 2025, will provide participants with certifications such as Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), recognized globally as essential credentials in the cloud-native field.

The free training program will last six to nine months.

Andela plans to select participants from its extensive talent marketplace, which features over 150,000 tech professionals, primarily from Africa.

This initiative is designed to address the worldwide gap of 7.5 million unfilled cloud-related roles anticipated by 2025, simultaneously creating job opportunities for African developers and tackling the global tech talent shortage.

Africa’s growing prominence in the global technology landscape makes this partnership particularly timely.

According to the Google Africa Developer Ecosystem Report, 38% of African developers are already working remotely for international companies.

As the continent boasts the fastest-growing developer population, equipping professionals with advanced skills in cloud-native technologies will enable them to thrive in a competitive global market.

Participants will benefit from a CNCF-developed curriculum focused on building, deploying, and managing scalable applications across diverse cloud environments.

The partnership brings together Andela’s AI-powered talent platform and CNCF’s leadership in open-source cloud technologies, underscoring the transformative potential of strategic collaborations to address global skill shortages.