Cross Section of Civil Society Leaders.
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire - Civil society leaders and energy access advocates have urged the African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank, and partners behind Mission 300 to formally adopt a structured framework for civil society participation. The call was made during a high-level side event held on May 28, 2025, at the 2025 AfDB Annual Meetings in Abidjan.
The event, titled "Energy4Real: How Civil Society Can Engage to Ensure Mission 300 Delivers on Energy Access in Africa," brought together stakeholders to ensure that Africa's energy future is not only electrified but also equitable, inclusive, and just. With over 630 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still living without electricity, Mission 300 aims to connect 300 million people by 2030.
Eugene N. Nforngwa, Director of Programs ACSEA.Eugene N. Nforngwa, Director of Programs at the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA), emphasized the need for a people-centered approach to energy development. "We cannot afford another top-down development drive that misses the people it's meant to serve," he said. "Mission 300 must not only connect wires; it must connect with realities."
The side event spotlighted the "From Margins to Mandate" framework, a four-pillar plan developed under the Six30 Campaign to institutionalize civil society engagement in Mission 300. The framework outlines a strategy for governance and representation, programmatic co-implementation, independent monitoring, and policy advocacy.
Key recommendations from the event include the creation of a Mission 300 Civil Society Advisory Council, funding windows for CSO-led last-mile delivery, and formal inclusion of civil society in national energy compacts and technical working groups.
Dr. Augustine B. Njamnshi, Chair of the Bank-Civil Society Coalition on Climate and Energy.Dr. Augustine B. Njamnshi, Chair of the Bank-Civil Society Coalition on Climate and Energy, added that the "From Margins to Mandate" framework is a crucial step towards making Mission 300 accountable, equitable, and locally owned.
The event highlighted the strategic alignment between Mission 300 and the Six30 Campaign, which calls for $630 billion to deliver clean electricity to 630 million Africans by 2030.
By adopting the "From Margins to Mandate" framework, civil society leaders believe that Mission 300 can deliver energy access that is not only measurable in numbers but also transformative in impact on livelihoods, gender equality, and economic opportunity.
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