Mission 300

March 10, 2025

The World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), have recently introduced Mission 300.
About Mission 300:
- Objective: To provide electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
- Background: This initiative builds on extensive efforts, particularly those spearheaded by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).
Key Goals:
- Accelerate electrification while promoting sustainable energy sources.
- Drive economic growth and create job opportunities.
- Current Scenario:Around 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack electricity, constituting 83% of the world’s unelectrified population.
Key Focus Areas:
- Strengthening power generation, transmission, distribution, and regional connectivity.
- Implementing sectoral reforms to ensure affordable, reliable, and high-quality electricity.
India’s Electrification Journey:
- Pre-Independence Era (Before 1947): Limited electrification, mostly confined to urban centers.
- Post-Independence: Emphasis on rural electrification and state-driven electricity management.
- 1980s: Establishment of the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) to enhance rural power supply.
- 1990s: Introduction of private sector participation, leading to structural reforms in the power sector. The Electricity Act of 2003 reshaped regulations to boost efficiency.
- 2021 Milestone: India achieved 100% household electrification.