Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. arrived in Dar es Salaam early this morning, January 28, 2025, to participate in the African Heads of State Energy Summit. The Summit, convening today in the Tanzanian capital, focuses on the ambitious Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity access to 300 million people across Africa by 2030.

Mission 300, launched by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank Group in April 2024, seeks to drive transformative progress in energy access as part of Africa’s sustainable development agenda. Liberia is among twelve countries selected as a pilot for this groundbreaking initiative.

Key Ministerial Engagements Ahead of the Summit

Ahead of the Summit, Liberia participated in the Ministerial and Partners’ Meeting held on January 27, 2025, at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Center. The meeting featured strategic discussions on actionable recommendations to achieve Mission 300’s objectives.

During the Liberia-focused session earlier today, high-level officials from Liberia’s Energy and Finance sectors delivered presentations highlighting progress, challenges, and future plans for expanding energy access in the country. Presenters included:
• Minister of Finance and Development Planning Augustine K. Ngafuan
• Minister of Mines and Energy Wilmot Paye
• Acting Managing Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) Thomas Gonkerwon

Additional contributions were made by:
• LERC Board Chairman Claude J. Katta
• RREA Executive Director Samuel B. Nagbe
• Deputy Finance Minister for Economic Management Dehpue Zuoh

The session was attended by notable international partners, including African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina and World Bank Group President Mr. Ajay Banga. Speaking on behalf of both institutions, Dr. Adesina lauded Liberia’s leadership under President Boakai and commended ongoing efforts to promote governance, accountability, and transparency.

Dr. Adesina emphasized the importance of international partnerships in supporting Liberia’s energy expansion efforts, expressing optimism about the outcomes of the Summit.

As the Summit proceeds, President Boakai will join fellow African leaders, ministers, and representatives from international organizations and the private sector in deliberations on energy reforms. The discussions aim to chart a common path to achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030.

This agenda aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which prioritize energy access as a cornerstone for Africa’s growth and development.

President Boakai’s participation underscores Liberia’s commitment to achieving energy access for all its citizens. The Government of Liberia remains dedicated to fostering partnerships, strengthening governance, and driving impactful reforms to realize the transformative goals of Mission 300.

While President Boakai is away, Honorable Sylvester Grisgsby, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, will chair the Cabinet in consultation with the President and Vice President to ensure the seamless functioning of government operations.