Bridging the energy access divide: a policy gap analysis of 12 African national energy compacts under Mission 300

Africa stands at a pivotal juncture in its energy trajectory, where bold aspirations for universal electrification by 2030 confront entrenched structural and institutional barriers. Despite decades of targeted development assistance and a surge in international investment, over 600 million people across the continent remain without access to electricity, while more than 80% of rural populations continue to rely on traditional biomass for cooking. In response to this pressing challenge, twelve African governments have aligned themselves with the World Bank's Mission 300 Energy Compacts, committing to universal access through a suite of reform-oriented and infrastructure-driven strategies.