Africa has made significant progress toward sustainable development by launching the $40 billion Africa Energy Fund. Unveiled at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, it aims to deliver clean and reliable energy to 300 million people by 2030, prioritizing electrification and clean cooking solutions.
The fund has attracted significant international support, including $22 billion from the World Bank and $18.2 billion from the African Development Bank (AfDB). Additional contributions from the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund reflect strong global confidence in Africa’s energy future. One of the most impactful aspects of the fund is its focus on clean cooking. Over 900 million people in Africa depend on traditional biomass fuels for cooking. These fuels lead to hazardous indoor air pollution and are associated with more than 600,000 premature deaths annually. The initiative will support affordable alternatives such as LPG, efficient biomass stoves, and local manufacturing, complemented by public awareness campaigns on the health benefits of clean cooking. Countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Ghana are already taking action through national strategies that promote innovation, affordability, and local production of cleaner technologies.
Improving energy access in this way brings numerous benefits. Cleaner cooking methods can reduce deforestation, lower carbon emissions, and alleviate the risks of traditional cooking practices, particularly for women and children. These efforts also contribute to health, education, and climate goals at both national and global levels. The Africa Energy Fund is not only a financial commitment; it represents a bold step toward inclusive, sustainable growth for millions across the continent.
