Can Mission 300 put power in women’s hands? Not without centring their needs

On International Women’s Day, people around the world are calling for accelerated action towards gender equality. For the millions of women across Africa that lack electricity, unlocking energy access would be a catalyst for equality, and the key to a cleaner, fairer and more sustainable future. In this blog, Rajneesh Bhuee and Mwebe John ask whether the new Mission 300 initiative can deliver this power to women and marginalised communities across the continent.

Gender (in)equality and (in)accessible energy in Africa

When it comes to power – electric, economic, and political – the picture for women across Africa is complicated. Nearly 600 million people on the continent, from Mali to Madagascar, live without access to electricity. They represent 83% of the global gap. It is women and girls who bear the burden of this energy poverty, given the persistent gender norms that keep women in the domestic sphere: managing household bills, collecting firewood, cooking, and raising children.

Gender equality and energy access are inextricably linked: when women can access affordable, reliable electricity and clean cooking solutions, the gains are huge for them and for the wider community, whereas a gender-blind approach to energy transition could further entrench existing inequalities. Women, as members of engaged civil society, have the right to a seat at the table to shape the energy policies and solutions that affect their lives.

Mission 300 gains momentum at the African Energy Summit?

In early 2024, the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) spearheaded a new “ambitious initiative to connect 300 million people to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030”. This Mission 300 initiative seeks to bring in a wide range of public and private partners to address this energy access gap and catalyse clean energy transitions.?

In January 2025, African leaders, financial institutions and energy experts gathered in Dar es Salaam for the dedicated Africa Energy Summit, resulting in major financial commitments for the initiative. The World Bank Group and African Development Bank Group pledged $50 billion, while the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) committed an additional $6.15 billion. 30 African governments signed the Declaration for a “united vision of delivering energy to Africans”. 12 countries presented National Energy Compacts, a set of policies and targets to integrate renewables, expand grid infrastructure, and leverage private sector participation.

Our analysis of the Summit’s outcomes reveals several concerns as to whether Mission 300 can achieve meaningful impact for people across the continent, especially women, children, and the most marginalised communities:?

Concerns over fossil gas lock-in?

Fossil gas is not clean, nor is it good economics. Yet, there is a push for LNG (liquefied natural gas) as a “transitional fuel” within Mission 300. This raises concerns, particularly regarding Africa’s long-standing export conundrum: Why are so many African nations energy-rich yet continue to experience severe energy poverty?

Currently, most LNG projects in Africa are designed for export, primarily supplying Europe and Asia, not for local consumption. Their heavy reliance on private sector financing means that economic benefits flow away to multinational companies and foreign markets, not national companies. Nigeria’s Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano LNG Pipeline and Tanzania’s LNG project are prime examples. Such projects are burdened by high costs, long construction timelines, and vulnerability to volatile global gas markets.?

When LNG is positioned as a “transitional” alternative to coal and diesel, it diverts crucial financial and policy focus away from renewable energy investments that can deliver affordable, accessible and reliable energy to the people of Africa. Decentralised solar, wind, and mini-grid solutions can deliver electricity faster and more cost-effectively, while avoiding stranded asset risks as the world transitions away from fossil fuels.?

Cooking with gas isn’t so smart

Nearly one billion people in Africa – particularly women – are burdened by the use of traditional cooking fuels, which cause respiratory diseases and nearly 500,000 deaths annually. Mission 300 also seeks to address this, with “clean cooking” a critical element of the National Energy Compacts.

Yet, the argument for fossil gas as a clean cooking fuel doesn’t hold up. Infrastructure gaps and volatile pricing make it practically impossible for rural households to access costly gas energy, who will just continue to use wood, dung and other toxic substances as fuel. Subsidies for gas cooking fuels will largely benefit the urban wealthy, bypassing rural poorer women.

Clean, locally-appropriate cooking technologies do exist – including ultra-low emission biomass stoves, solar cookers, and biogas. These can be manufactured and supplied locally and could be made more available with the right investment. When it comes to energy access for the most rural and marginalised communities, decentralisation of clean, renewable technologies like these is crucial.??

Scaling-up renewables to reach everyone

Countries such as Zambia and Malawi have already demonstrated the feasibility of renewable energy integration. Their progress in harnessing solar power proves that renewables can provide energy security and economic sustainability without prolonging reliance on fossil fuels. By directing resources toward renewables, Mission 300 could help countries to leapfrog LNG without delay.

That said, to achieve universal energy access, “least-cost planning” approaches must be met with policies that prioritise equitable energy distribution. Large-scale projects tend to focus on urban/industrial hubs or even foreign export , leaving rural communities without access.?

Decentralised solutions – such as mini-grids and home solar panels – can provide affordable and immediate power to off-grid communities. Rwanda and Kenya have demonstrated that this is feasible without costly national grid expansions. Scaling up these solutions across the continent will ensure that no woman, and no community, is left behind. Where feasible, reliable and affordable grid connections need investment, training and local community engagement to be successful.

Engaging women as leaders

Civil society organisations have long advocated for energy solutions prioritising accessibility and affordability, yet their role in shaping decisions remains minimal. Ahead of the Africa Energy Summit, these groups were invited to join an online dialogue, which fell short of real consultation. The only way to make Mission 300 truly inclusive and meaningful is through structured participation mechanisms:? national energy dialogues, public consultations, and spaces where women and marginalised groups can have their say. The development banks behind the initiative would need to? transparently measure strong disaggregated indicators to demonstrate the real benefit and engagement of women at a community level. One of the strategic objectives of the World Bank Group’s Gender Strategy is to “engage women as leaders” – Mission 300 is a great opportunity to put it into action.?

By fostering genuine civil society engagement, prioritising public financing, and accelerating renewable energy investments, Mission 300 could deliver not just electricity but long-term economic and social empowerment for millions of people – especially women – across Africa.

Photo by Safari Consoler, 2023, via Pexels. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #BankOnRenewables #AccelerateAction #ClearHerPath #ForAllWomenAndGirls