President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Sunday for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit.
The event, which will take place from January 27 to 28, 2025, is expected to bring together key stakeholders from across the continent to address Africa’s pressing energy challenges.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The Summit, organized by the Tanzanian government in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank, focuses on advancing the “Mission 300” initiative. This ambitious program seeks to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by the year 2030, aligning with broader continental efforts to improve energy equity and economic development.
In Dar es Salaam, African leaders, private sector executives, development organizations, and representatives from civil society will converge to discuss strategies for bridging the energy access gap. The gathering will serve as a platform for sharing innovative solutions, best practices, and resources to tackle the continent’s energy challenges effectively.
Key Areas of Focus
Discussions at the Summit will center on several critical areas, including:
- Expanding energy access in underserved and remote regions.
- Promoting renewable energy solutions and improving energy efficiency.
- Attracting private sector investments to scale up energy infrastructure.
Agenda Highlights
On the Summit’s opening day, sessions will be held at the ministerial level. Participating countries, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies—referred to as compacts—that outline concrete plans for achieving universal energy access within the next five years.
The second day will culminate with the Heads of State endorsing the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration. This key document will serve as a unified roadmap for accelerating Africa’s progress toward the “Mission 300” objectives, providing a framework for collaborative action and accountability.
Nigeria’s Commitment to Energy Development
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national address during the event, reiterating Nigeria’s dedication to advancing energy access and its leadership role in driving sustainable energy solutions across Africa. He will spotlight Nigeria’s clean energy initiatives, emphasizing the country’s innovative strategies to foster integrated energy delivery and renewable energy adoption.
Delegation Accompanying the President
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including:
- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
- Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
- Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen.
- Other senior government officials and technical experts.
The Summit represents a significant opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its progress and reaffirm its commitment to addressing Africa’s energy challenges while building partnerships for future development.
