President Joseph Boakai has emphasized Liberia’s commitment to achieving universal energy access as a foundation for prosperity, inclusion, and sustainability across the continent.
The President spoke yesterday, January 28, 2025, when he addressed the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit of Heads of State in Tanzania.
The President, joined by fellow African leaders in Dares Salaam, highlighted the significance of Mission 300 to Liberia’s national development priorities, particularly its alignment with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and the nation’s National Energy Compact.
“Access to reliable energy is the foundation upon which we can build thriving economies. It powers industries, supports education, and enhances healthcare. For countless communities, energy access means the difference between stagnation and growth, between despair and opportunity,” Boakai noted.
With only 33% of Liberia’s population currently connected to electricity, the President underscored the urgency of expanding energy access as a national priority and moral obligation.
The President also outlined Liberia’s ambitious plan to electrify 100,000 households annually, aiming for a 75% access rate by 2030, while addressing urban-rural disparities through grid expansion and distributed renewable energy solutions.
Key initiatives presented by the Liberian leader include the Development of the 150 MW Saint Paul 2 Hydropower Project, the Promotion of utility-scale solar PV projects led by private sector investment, and the Expansion of distributed renewable energy solutions to rural areas.
Recognizing the importance of public and private investment in achieving these goals, President Boakai underlined the establishment of a high-level steering committee, led by the Vice President, to mobilize financing and ensure readiness for competitive bidding on Liberia’s first solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) project by October 2025, and the SP2 project by November 2026.
He maintained, “Over the past decade, electricity access in Liberia has grown from 3% in 2012 to 33% today, and commercial losses have been reduced to below 30%, a significant improvement from over 40% in 2022.”
Boakai, reaffirming Liberia’s progress and dedication to energy sector reforms also extended gratitude to the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group for their pivotal role in fostering partnerships and supporting energy initiatives across the continent.
Boakai added, “Together, we can empower every person in Africa with the energy they deserve, driving prosperity, fostering inclusion, and ensuring a sustainable future for all.”
Meanwhile, the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit serves as a platform for African leaders to forge collaborations and champion policies aimed at achieving universal energy access by 2030, a goal critical to the continent’s development and global sustainability efforts.
