The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched the next stage of the Mission 300 initiative, which is a joint AfDB-World Bank programme to connect 300-million Africans with electricity by 2030. This latest stage is designated AESTAP Mission 300 Phase II. It is a $3.9-million technical assistance project, which directly builds upon the $1-million AESTAP Mission 300 Phase I, which was launched in December. Phase II of the programme will benefit 13 countries, namely Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauretania, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. It will assist these countries to implement their National Energy Compacts, which are national plans to expand electricity access, attract investment and reinforce power sectors in each of the participating countries. (Dozens of African countries have developed such compacts.)
