HESPI’s Managing Director Calls for Greater Engagement of African Think Tanks in Delivering Mission 300 Energy Commitments

Cotonou, Republic of Benin, | October 28, 2026

The Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute – HESPI has called for stronger engagement of African think tanks in advancing the implementation of Mission 300, the ambitious initiative aimed at connecting 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030.

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Benin and the African Union, organized the 12^th Africa Think Tank Summit in Cotonou from 28 to 30 October 2026. The Summit focused on practical reforms that can make reliable and affordable energy a stronger driver of industrialization, competitiveness and inclusive growth in Africa.

Held under the theme “From Energy Access to Economic Transformation: Practical Policy Pathways for Power Sector Viability, Growth, and Reform in Africa,” the 2026 Summit brought together policymakers, researchers, private investors and development partners from more than 50 countries to move the energy debate beyond broad commitments towards concrete reforms that improve utility performance, strengthen enabling policy and regulatory environments, and attract investment.

Speaking at the high-level Policy Dialogue on “Mission 300 Country Compacts: Translating Pledges into Connections” Dr. Ali Issa, HESPI’s Managing Director emphasized that African think tanks have a critical role in ensuring that national energy commitments translate into affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity access.

Dr. Ali highlighted the importance of independent research, evidence-based policy recommendations, and regional collaboration in supporting governments, development partners, and private-sector actors to deliver on their energy commitments.

The Managing Director identified several priority areas for African think tanks, including tracking energy financing and investment, assessing electricity service quality and affordability, evaluating the socioeconomic impacts of electricity access, and strengthening accountability through independent performance assessments.

He also underscored the persistent urban–rural electricity access divide, noting that rural communities continue to face significant barriers to reliable and affordable energy. He called for greater investment in decentralized renewable energy solutions, including solar home systems, mini-grids, and battery storage, alongside expanding electricity access for productive activities such as agricultural irrigation, agro-processing, healthcare, education, and small-scale industries.

Particular attention was given to the relationship between energy access, water security, and climate adaptation in the arid and semi-arid lands of the Horn of Africa. Dr. Ali emphasized that solar-powered irrigation and water-pumping technologies offer significant opportunities to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve water security, and build climate resilience among pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities.

He further identified limited access to finance and the shortage of region-specific evidence as major constraints to expanding clean energy solutions in dryland areas. He called for integrated climate and energy assessments, costed demonstration projects, stronger institutional monitoring systems, and innovative financing models capable of mobilizing investment for underserved communities.

Highlighting the economic benefits of renewable energy in agriculture, he noted that solar-powered irrigation systems can reduce farmers’ energy costs by up to 75 percent compared with the expensive and polluting diesel-powered alternatives, while enabling more reliable and productive agricultural activities.

The Managing Director concluded by emphasizing that achieving Mission 300 requires more than expanding electricity connections. It requires coordinated investments, effective governance, innovative financing, and strong knowledge institutions to ensure that electricity access contributes to inclusive economic growth and improved livelihoods.

He reaffirms the importance of African-led research, regional cooperation, and evidence-informed policy engagement in advancing sustainable energy access, climate resilience, and inclusive development across the Horn of Africa and the wider continent.