The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $3.9 million technical assistance project to help expand electricity access across Africa, the lender said, as part of efforts to accelerate energy reforms on the continent.
The two years programme, known as AESTAP Mission 300 Phase II, will provide direct support to 13 African countries from 2026, focusing on turning national energy plans into actual power connections.
The initiative targets Chad, Gabon, Tanzania, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Malawi, Lesotho, Namibia and Uganda.
It is designed to support the implementation of National Energy Compacts under Mission 300, a joint AfDB–World Bank initiative that aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
Energy Compacts outline how governments plan to expand access, strengthen utilities and attract private investment, following strong political commitments made over the past year.
AfDB said the project would help governments improve electricity regulations, planning and tariff systems to make the sector more attractive to investors.
It will also strengthen power utilities to reduce losses and deliver more reliable supply, while improving data, research and regional learning through tools such as the Electricity Regulatory Index.
In addition, expert advisers will be embedded in national Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units to coordinate reforms and track progress.
The bank said the programme would help countries move from policy documents to real electricity connections for homes, schools, hospitals and businesses.
The approval builds on AESTAP Mission 300 Phase I, launched in December 2025, which focused on establishing and strengthening national energy delivery teams.