Consider the following statements regarding Mission 300:

1. It is an initiative led by the United Nations to provide electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

2. It was launched as part of the Paris Agreement to ensure carbon-neutral energy access in developing nations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is option 4.

In News

• The World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), along with key partners, have launched Mission 300, an ambitious initiative to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

Key Points

• Mission 300 is not led by the United Nations, but rather by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The initiative brings together global financial institutions, governments, and private sector partners to address Africa’s severe electricity access gap. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Mission 300 is not part of the Paris Agreement, which is a legally binding international treaty on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance. Instead, this initiative focuses specifically on expanding electrification in Africa through a combination of grid expansion, mini-grids, and off-grid solar solutions. While it promotes clean energy, it is not directly tied to the global climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.
• Sub-Saharan Africa has the world’s largest energy access deficit, with over 600 million people lacking electricity. Mission 300 aims to close half of this gap by providing power to 300 million people by 2030.
• Key components of Mission 300 include:
  • Expanding national electricity grids to underserved areas, improving access in rural and urban communities.
  • Deploying decentralized energy solutions, such as mini-grids and standalone solar systems, to bring electricity to remote, off-grid areas.
  • Encouraging private sector investment in clean energy technologies to enhance affordability and scalability.
  • Ensuring economic benefits, such as job creation, industrial development, and improved livelihoods for African communities.