By Joy Nabulo
Uganda stands at a critical moment in its energy development. Endowed with abundant rivers, year-round equatorial sunshine, geothermal potential and a youthful, rapidly growing population, the country has made remarkable strides in transforming its energy sector over the past decade. Through deliberate policy choices, strategic investments and sustained institutional reforms, Uganda has laid a strong foundation for expanding access to reliable and affordable electricity.
The completion of the 600 MW Karuma Hydropower Plant and the 183 MW Isimba Hydropower Plant, coupled with the development of the 400 kV electricity transmission backbone, has significantly strengthened Uganda’s power generation and transmission capacity. At the same time, the expansion of off-grid solar solutions has brought electricity to more than four million households, contributing to national electricity access reaching approximately 60 percent by 2025 a milestone that once appeared far beyond reach.
These achievements demonstrate Uganda’s commitment to improving energy access. However, the journey towards universal access is far from complete.
Approximately 40 percent of Ugandans still live without access to modern electricity services. In rural communities, millions continue to rely on kerosene lamps for lighting and firewood or charcoal for cooking. More than 80 percent of households depend on traditional biomass, exposing families to indoor air pollution, accelerating deforestation and placing a disproportionate burden on women and girls who spend countless hours collecting firewood instead of pursuing education or income-generating activities.
These challenges underscore the need for accelerated investments and innovative approaches that extend beyond power generation to include affordable connections, clean cooking solutions, decentralized renewable energy and reliable electricity distribution.
This is where Mission 300 presents a transformative opportunity. Mission 300 has connected more than 50 million people to electricity across 40 African countries, marking a significant milestone towards its ambitious target. Even more encouraging is the pace of implementation. The programme is currently delivering electricity access at nearly twice the rate recorded when it was launched, driven by investments across the entire energy value chain from electricity generation and transmission to last-mile distribution and off-grid renewable solutions.
The programme’s impact is evident across several African countries. In Tanzania, approximately 7.5 million people have gained access to electricity under Mission 300, representing a five-fold increase over the country’s previous annual electrification rate. The success has been driven by increased financing and comprehensive policy reforms that have accelerated infrastructure development.
Ethiopia has connected about 4.6 million people through reforms that have reduced the cost of grid connections, making electricity more affordable for households and businesses.
Nigeria has expanded electricity access to more than 4.5 million people through private sector-led investments, demonstrating how blended finance and enabling policies can create commercially viable energy markets while extending electricity to underserved communities.
According to programme officials, these achievements reflect a shift from fragmented interventions to coordinated action. By aligning governments, development institutions and private investors around common national energy priorities, Mission 300 has strengthened political commitment, accelerated reforms and mobilized unprecedented financing for Africa’s energy sector.
To date, the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group have committed nearly US$15 billion towards Mission 300 projects, complemented by approximately US$4.5 billion in co-financing. Development partners have also pledged more than US$7 billion in additional support for Africa’s energy transformation.
Energy access must also be viewed as an engine for inclusive development. Reliable electricity enables businesses to grow, improves agricultural value addition, powers digital innovation, enhances healthcare delivery and creates employment opportunities for Uganda’s expanding youth population. Clean energy can also reduce environmental degradation, improve public health and strengthen resilience to climate change.
The Writer Works at Environment Governance Institute
