PACJA, ACSEA leading civil society actions in the energy drive in Africa.
By Ngalame Elias
In a crucial side event at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual General Assembly 2025 on the theme; “Why Civil Society Must Be at the Heart of Mission 300”, stakeholders will be throwing light on the role of civil society in expanding energy access in Africa.
Mission 300, the AfDB’s ambitious initiative to expand Africa’s energy access at scale, presents a pivotal opportunity to transform lives and drive sustainable development. But for this mission to truly succeed and be equitable, the voices and engagement of civil society organizations (CSOs) are indispensable.
According ACSEA CEO Dr Augustine Njamnshi, the civil society in Africa has a lead role to play in this drive.
“Civil society must be at the heart of Mission 300, a major energy initiative in Africa, because it ensures the project’s effectiveness, sustainability, and inclusivity,” Njamnshi says.
This event, co-organized by the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA), the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), and the Bank-Civil Society Coalition on Climate Change and Energy, will explore: explore strategies for effective civil society engagement in Mission 300, through the 630 Campaign; how civil society can ensure energy access initiatives prioritize last-mile communities, social equity, and sustainability; dialogue between civil society, AfDB, World Bank, and other stakeholders on co-creation and governance of energy access programs; key policy and financial mechanisms that ensure Mission 300 delivers beyond grid connections to real development impact, a note from PACJA and ACSEA says.
“Civil society organizations (CSOs) are essential for community engagement, accountability, and addressing the needs of marginalized groups, ultimately making the mission a success,” the release says.
Here’s why:
Community Engagement:
CSOs, with their local knowledge and networks, can effectively engage with communities, ensuring they understand and support the mission. This prevents the project from being imposed from above and increases the likelihood of its success.
Accountability:
CSOs can hold governments, private sector actors, and development partners accountable for their commitments, ensuring transparency and responsible implementation.
Addressing Marginalized Needs:
CSOs can identify and address the specific needs of vulnerable groups, such as women and those in remote areas, ensuring that the mission benefits everyone.
Policy and Law:
CSOs can contribute valuable expertise in policy, law, and citizen engagement, helping to create a robust and effective framework for the mission.
Sustainability:
By involving CSOs, the mission can ensure its long-term sustainability and adaptation to local contexts.
Building Trust:
CSOs can build trust and legitimacy for the mission, leading to greater buy-in from the public and private sector.
For example, CSOs can play a crucial role in ensuring that energy projects are designed and implemented in a way that prioritizes local needs, benefits all communities, and is environmentally sustainable. They can also help to ensure that the projects are affordable and accessible to everyone. By actively involving CSOs, Mission 300 can achieve its goals of connecting 300 million people to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 while ensuring that the project is fair, equitable, and sustainable.
