African Development Bank reiterates commitment to bold action on energy and climate finance at 2025 Finance in Common Summit

Energy access and sustainable finance took center stage at the 2025 Finance in Common Summit, where two roundtable discussions addressed critical financing gaps and highlighted pathways to achieving universal energy access in Africa. 

During the discussions, the African Development Bank reiterated its commitment to unlocking investment for Africa’s energy future and scaling climate financing as part of its recently-launch Mission 300 initiative, in anticipation of COP30.

With 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still without electricity, the urgency of addressing energy access cannot be overstated. The first roundtable convened Local Finance Institutions (LFIs), national and local governments, utilities, and private sector leaders to explore solutions to financing constraints. Participants shared best practices, tackled investment bottlenecks, and discussed innovative de-risking mechanisms for energy projects.

“LFIs are the lifeblood of our economies, possessing a unique understanding of local contexts, needs, and opportunities,” noted African Development Bank Vice President, Nnenna Nwabufo, who moderated the session. “They are essential for mobilizing the necessary capital, fostering local entrepreneurship, and scaling sustainable energy projects.”

While significant progress has been made in expanding energy access across Africa, major challenges remain. In January 2025, the Mission 300 Energy Summit generated strong political momentum, with 48 African Heads of State committing to accelerating policy reforms, and 12 countries presenting National Energy Compacts outlining clear targets for energy access.

Backed by the World Bank, the African Development Bank and other development partners, Mission 300  aims to provide  300 million Africans with electricity access by 2030. “This ambitious goal is within reach, but it demands concerted action, innovative financing solutions, and strong partnerships,” emphasized Nwabufo.

However, financing remains a major bottleneck, particularly for last-mile connectivity and off-grid solutions. Public development banks and local finance institutions play a pivotal role in mobilizing the estimated $170 billion needed to achieve universal access. “Traditional financing models often fall short in meeting the specific needs of local communities and small-scale energy projects…this is where LFIs, with their local expertise, can make a transformative difference,” Nwabufo added.

Source: AfDB