Latest news with #DaresSalaamEnergyDeclaration
Zawya
14-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
World Bank Expands Support to Electrify Rural Eswatini, Reaching 200,000 People
A new World Bank financed project is helping set Eswatini on the path to universal energy access by 2030. The Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) project for Eswatini will help the country reach the remaining 12% of the population with electricity access, ensuring that households in the most remote and disadvantaged areas benefit from improved access to energy and greater economic opportunities. 'This initiative is about the people of Eswatini, ensuring that every Liswati has access to electricity. Eswatini remains committed to universal energy access, as reaffirmed in our endorsement of the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration at the recent Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit,' says Eswatini's Deputy Prime Minister, Honorable Thulisile Dladla. The newly announced support builds on the ongoing Network Reinforcement and Access Project Eswatini. It will follow an integrated approach for electrification following the country's Rural Electrification Plan and the National Energy Policy 2018. ASCENT Eswatini aims to provide electricity access to 200,000 people, ensuring that 50,000 new households are connected to electricity over the next five years. This represents a 20% increase from the 249,014 households connected in 2023. The initiative will utilize both grid and off-grid solutions to expand energy access, particularly in underserved rural communities, unlocking economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for Emaswati. The project will also provide critical technical expertise for assessments and studies aimed at increasing energy security, improving the sector's financial viability, strengthening planning, and building capacity in support of the government's goal of ensuring universal access to electricity for Emaswati by 2030. 'The ASCENT Eswatini project deepens the World Bank's engagement in supporting the country's development priorities. Expanding energy access is vital for economic growth, better livelihoods, and improved service delivery. We remain committed to supporting Eswatini to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, aligning with global efforts for equitable and sustainable energy solutions,' says World Bank Country Director for Eswatini, Satu Kahkonen. ASCENT Eswatini is the nineth phase of the ASCENT program developed by the World Bank for Eastern and Southern Africa. It has received $39 million in concessional funding from the International Development Association (IDA), a loan of $51 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and a performance-based grant of $10 million from the Livable Planet Fund (LPF1). ASCENT Eswatini will help Eswatini be among a handful of African countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 by 2030 while substantially increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix. 'By addressing these critical areas, the ASCENT Eswatini project will not only bolster energy access but also play a pivotal role in advancing Eswatini's development goals by improving living standards and fostering economic growth through the provision of reliable, inclusive, sustainable and clean energy,' says Eswatini's Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Honorable Thambo Gina.
Russia Today
29-01-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Africa commits to electricity plan for 300 million people
African leaders have pledged to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030. The ambitious target was formalized in the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, adopted on Monday during the Africa Energy Summit in Tanzania. The summit, held under the theme 'Powering Africa for Reliable, Affordable, Inclusive, Sustainable, and Clean Energy for All', brought together heads of state and key stakeholders to address the continent's persistent energy crisis. The initiative, known as 'Mission 300', was launched in April by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of efforts to accelerate electrification. Reading the declaration, AfDB Secretary-General Vincent Nmehielle emphasized the critical need for immediate action. To support the initiative, the AfDB has committed $18.2 billion, while the World Bank has pledged $22 billion. Other commitments include $2.65 billion from the Islamic Development Bank, $1.5 billion from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, $1 billion from the OPEC Fund. READ MORE: Can Africa seize control of its own energy? Several nations, including Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, and Tanzania, have pledged to implement reforms in their electricity sectors, increase national electrification targets, and accelerate the integration of renewable energy sources. World Bank President Ajay Banga made it clear that the organization's financial support would be conditional on countries implementing necessary regulatory and policy reforms. 'The World Bank will pay countries as part of our support only when they make the changes,' he said. According to projections by the World Bank and the AfDB, half of the new electricity connections will come from existing national grids, while the other half will rely on renewable energy solutions such as wind and solar mini-grids. The UN Sustainable Development Group reported that approximately 600 million Africans – nearly half the continent's population – still lack reliable access to electricity, accounting for over 80% of the global electricity access gap. Nations such as Burundi and South Sudan continue to have some of the lowest electricity access rates, according to 2022 data. READ MORE: Apple faces 'blood minerals' probe
Zawya
27-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Mission 300 Energy Summit to Gather Africa's Leaders and Partners to Transform Energy Sector
African heads of state, business leaders, and development partners will converge tomorrow in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit where they will commit to ambitious reforms and actions to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. Mission 300 is an unprecedented collaboration between the African Development Bank, the World Bank Group, and global partners to address Africa's electricity access gap using new technology and innovative financing. Nearly 600 million Africans lack electricity, which is crucial for development and job creation. Several heads of state and government from Africa will join more than 1,000 other participants—with strong representation from the private sector—at the January 27-28 summit. Together, they will chart Africa's course toward universal access to energy. This week's summit is expected to yield two significant outcomes: the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, outlining commitments and practical actions from African governments to reform the energy sector, and the first set of National Energy Compacts, which will serve as blueprints with country-specific targets and timelines for implementation of critical reforms. In the first phase, 12 countries will present their energy compacts: Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Other African countries are expected to develop their compacts in subsequent phases. The partnerships forged and commitments made by the continent's leaders and changemakers gathering in Dar es Salaam this week will shape the continent's journey toward achieving universal energy access, transforming millions of lives, and driving sustainable development and job creation. Click here to follow the Summit live ( Learn more about Mission 300 and the Africa Energy Summit here ( Twitter: #PoweringAfrica Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Contacts in Dar es Salaam: World Bank Group: Daniella van Leggelo-Padilla dvanleggelo@ African Development Bank Group: Kwasi Kpodo media@
