The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed its determination to tackle energy poverty with a high-level stakeholder engagement forum towards the implementation of the National Energy Compact under the Mission 300 initiative. 

The government-led forum, which is a critical step towards tackling energy poverty, will hold on Tuesday(today) July 8, 2025 through the Federal Ministry of Power and the Federal Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). 

Tagged Mission 300, the initiative is championed by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, with key support from The Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) and SEforALL.

The project is geared towards achieving the ambitious goal of connecting 300 million people across Africa to electricity by 2030, alongside other African countries.

 Nigeria is  one of 12 countries selected for the first phase of Mission 300 implementation and has committed to bold reforms to expand energy access, scale up renewable energy and attract private sector investment. 

To drive this effort, the government has established a high-level Compact Delivery and Monitoring Unit (CDMU)to oversee and coordinate the delivery of Mission 300 targets. 

To propel coordinated action and unlock investment, the CDMU, through the stakeholder forum, will bring together senior government officials, development partners, and private sector leaders to discuss progress and showcase implementation efforts for Nigeria’s National Energy Compact, launched at the Dar es Salaam Energy Summit in January 2025. 

The compact outlines clear, investable targets, which are: doubling the annual electricity access growth rate from four  per cent  to nine per cent and increasing access to clean cooking solutions from 22 per cent  to 25 per cent per year. These targets signal Nigeria’s commitment to achieving universal energy access by 2030 and creating a predictable, results-driven environment for energy investments.

The forum focuses on the five strategic pillars of Nigeria’s Mission 300 Compact, each designed to unlock investment and drive market transformation: Infrastructure rehabilitation and expansion to create a bankable pipeline of grid and off-grid projects through least-cost planning and technical capacity building; last-mile access to open new markets by extending electrification to underserved communities; clean cooking to promote the widespread adoption of clean cooking solutions to reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels; financially viable utilities to improve creditworthiness and attract capital into the power sector; private sector participation through clear incentives, de-risking mechanisms, and enabling policies; regional integration to scale investment opportunities across borders and enhance power trade.

Commenting,  said Director, Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulation, African Development Bank, Wale Shonibare, said: “Nigeria is showing real leadership in driving forward the ambition of Mission 300. Its progress shows what is possible when political will, bold reforms, and clear, investment-ready targets come together. The African Development Bank is proud to stand with Nigeria to help translate this ambition into reality, mobilizing funding, strengthening institutions, and unlocking private capital to ensure millions more gain access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity.”

Speaking ahead of the forum, the Honourable Minister of Power,  Mr. Adebayo Adelabu reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment, saying: “Mission 300 is more than an initiative – it is a transformative opportunity to reshape Nigeria’s energy future. We are committed to working with our partners to ensure affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity for all Nigerians and we invite all stakeholders across government, development, private sector, and civil society to join this critical initiative to build an inclusive and resilient energy sector for Nigeria.”

The success of Mission 300 depends on bold partnerships and immediate action. This forum shows what’s possible when governments, business and development partners come together with urgency and purpose backed by significant and sustained investment,” CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, Damilola Ogunbiyi, stated.

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