Governments play a critical role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 which aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. By crafting progressive policies and regulatory frameworks, governments can enable the successful roll out of energy projects, while incentivizing the private sector. I welcome this declaration that will facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice exchange in the region and within countries. I look forward to collaborating with development partners to support governments to craft world-class policies to attract investment in sustainable energy.
It is estimated that 220 million people in West and Central Africa do not have access to electricity, representing about 45 percent of the regions population. Recognizing the urgency of addressing this issue, there is an increasing emphasis on mobilizing public and private resources toward infrastructure for energy access.
There have been growing calls to raise ambition, such as the Dakar Call to Action by African Heads of State, which recognizes the importance of providing electricity to an additional 85 million people per year over the next eight years, which will need an unprecedented mobilization of public and private investment. Additionally, innovative initiatives such as Mission 300, announced by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group in April 2024, aim to provide at least 300 million people in Africa with electricity access by 2030, of which around 100 million will be in West and Central Africa.
