By Lulu Angelo Sanga
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AA) - African leaders gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, focusing on unlocking the continent’s energy potential.
The summit, which continues through Jan. 28, is a pivotal event addressing Africa’s energy deficit and striving to provide electricity to 300 million people by 2030.
High-profile leaders, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, joined ministers and private sector representatives attending the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit to discuss the transformative role of energy in Africa’s development.
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), urged urgent investment in energy infrastructure, emphasizing its essential role in economic growth and job creation.
“Universal electricity access powers industries, creates jobs, and transforms economies,” hesaid, highlighting energy as the backbone of Africa’s progress.
Adesina also linked energy access to addressing migration, making a compelling point: “Even insects migrate from darkness to light. If we want to tackle migration, we must ensure Africa achieves 100% electricity access.”
His sentiments were echoed by other leaders, who stressed the importance of expanding energy distribution networks to reach even the most remote areas.
The financial hurdles to achieving universal electricity access were a recurring theme, with several leaders calling for stronger global partnerships and increased funding to overcome these challenges. Recognizing energy as a cornerstone of economic transformation, they emphasized the need for collaborative strategies.
The summit’s agenda includes adopting the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Africa Heads of State Energy Summit and the Africa Energy Compact. These frameworks, set to be signed on Tuesday, will guide energy investments and reforms over the next five years, outlining policies and strategies for sustainable energy access across the continent.