The inclusion of Sahara Power Group reflects its long-standing role in strengthening Africa’s power ecosystem through investments across generation, distribution, renewable and off grid energy solutions, and data enabled infrastructure.

Kola Adesina, group managing director of Sahara Power Group, has been appointed to the Mission 300 Private Sector Council, joining leaders from global energy, finance, infrastructure, and technology institutions.

Announcing the launch of the Council, Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), said,

“Mission 300’s success depends on mobilizing private investment at scale and implementing strategies shaped by businesses with experience in Africa’s energy sector. This council brings exactly that, senior leaders with the networks and expertise to translate ambition into impact.”

Adesina said the initiative underscores the indispensable role of the private sector in closing Africa’s electricity access gap.

“Closing Africa’s electricity gap will require strategic collaboration and sustained private investment,” Adesina said. “Mission 300 provides a credible platform for aligning policy ambition with bankable projects, and Sahara Power Group is proud to contribute its experience in developing, operating, and financing power assets that deliver reliable electricity and economic value.”

Adesina noted that Sahara Power Group’s participation aligns with its broader strategy of enabling power systems that support industrial growth, economic transformation, and inclusive development across Africa.

“Access to reliable electricity is a prerequisite for industrialisation and competitiveness. Through Mission 300, we have an opportunity to deepen collaboration between governments, development institutions, and private investors to bring energy responsibly to Africa,” he added.

Sahara Power Group is a subsidiary of Sahara Group, a global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, and operates the largest privately owned power business in Sub Saharan Africa through its affiliates. Its portfolio includes Egbin Power Plc, the largest thermal power plant in Sub Saharan Africa; Ikeja Electric, the region’s largest electricity distribution company; and First Independent Power Limited (FIPL), a leading generation company serving the Niger Delta region.

Mission 300 is designed to crowd in billions of dollars in private investment by strengthening national energy compacts, integrating regional power markets, expanding renewable and off grid solutions, and scaling catalytic finance structures that de risk investment.

Since its launch in 2024, the initiative has already connected 44 million people to electricity, with 30 countries signing national energy compacts to accelerate delivery.

To address this, the World Bank and African Development Bank launched Mission 300, a plan designed to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. 

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) has now pledged $16 million at UNGA 80 to speed up this initiative.

According to GEAPP, the latest commitment is expected to reduce market barriers, strengthen government and community capacity, and open the door to additional investment in clean energy technologies.

Woochong Um, GEAPP’s chief executive, explained the scale. “Our Alliance’s work in Africa, including Mission 300, is proof of what’s possible when governments, business, and philanthropy act together with urgency and purpose—turning ambition into real power, real jobs, and real opportunity for millions across the continent.”

Where the Funds Are Going

The Democratic Republic of Congo will receive the largest share, over $7 million channelled through the Mwinda Fund, managed by GreenMax. This support is set to expand mini- and metro-grid projects and attract nine times more capital, potentially bringing electricity to millions in a country where 70 million people still live without it.

Nigeria has been allocated more than $2 million to scale interconnected mini grids with RMI, with a target of 100MW deployment and a pipeline of 500MW. RMI’s Chief Executive, Jon Creyts, described the move as transformational: 

“Interconnected mini grids are a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy future. By combining on-site renewables with grid power, mini-grids deliver reliable, affordable electricity to underserved communities, reduce reliance on costly diesel, and create new value for developers and utilities. With support from the Energy Alliance, we’re scaling this model to accelerate energy access for millions of Nigerians.”

In Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and Nigeria, $5 million has been earmarked for Odyssey Energy Solutions’ Demand Aggregation for Renewable Technology (DART 3.0). The initiative is expected to pool equipment demand, cut costs, and unlock as much as $125 million in investments. 

“By reducing costs and accelerating deployment timelines, we are creating a more efficient and investable market for distributed renewable energy,” said Emily McAteer, Odyssey’s co-founder and CEO.

South Africa will also benefit through a $1.5 million partnership with its Just Energy Transition Programme Management Unit, aimed at attracting new capital and strengthening the shift to clean power.

A Continent-Wide Push

The Alliance stressed that lack of coordination continues to slow progress in Africa’s energy sector. Carol Koech, GEAPP’s vice president for Africa, said: “The Alliance recognizes the tremendous challenge that energy access poses to communities across Africa, and the lack of coordination is a major brake on progress. We are continuing to align public, private and philanthropic partners to channel resources wherever we can to create the greatest impact.”

Since its launch at COP26 in 2021, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) has awarded $503 million in catalytic funding, bringing $7.8 billion in investments. Current projects span more than 30 countries and are projected to deliver electricity to 91 million people, generate 3.1 million jobs, and avoid 296 million tons of CO₂ emissions.

This $16 million pledge sharpens its focus on scaling solutions in fragile and underserved markets, where access to power usually determines whether economies can grow or stall.