Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane Joins Mission 300 Global Forum 2025

Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has joined global leaders and policymakers at the Mission 300 Global Forum 2025, a high-level platform spearheaded by the World Bank. The initiative is focused on providing access to electricity for 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

Mission 300 is one of the largest coordinated energy access programs in the world. Its target is to connect underserved populations in Sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly 600 million people still live without electricity. The program aims to mobilize financing, technical expertise, and partnerships between governments, private investors, and development institutions. By joining the 2025 forum, Matekane positioned Lesotho as an active participant in driving regional energy solutions. The country, like many others in Southern Africa, faces challenges of rural electrification and limited infrastructure development.

Lesotho has made strides in renewable energy development but still struggles with universal access. According to World Bank data, roughly 30 percent of Lesotho’s rural households remain unconnected to reliable electricity. Participation in Mission 300 could help bridge this gap through targeted investment in renewable energy, especially solar and mini-grid projects. Matekane emphasized the importance of partnerships. He noted that while governments can set policies, progress requires joint investment from the private sector, multilateral banks, and regional stakeholders.

The 2025 Mission 300 Global Forum gathered leaders from over 40 countries. Discussions centered on expanding off-grid and mini-grid renewable energy systems, mobilizing private capital for large-scale projects, and building resilient infrastructure to withstand climate change. The World Bank reaffirmed its commitment to allocate billions in concessional financing over the next five years. Partner organizations, including the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation, also pledged support.

Access to electricity is not just an infrastructure goal. It drives education, healthcare, job creation, and digital transformation. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the lack of reliable power limits industrial growth and investment. A 2024 World Bank study highlighted that businesses in the region lose up to 8 percent of annual sales due to power shortages. For countries like Lesotho, where economic diversification is a priority, reliable energy access could boost small industries, create jobs, and improve living standards.

Mission 300 is ambitious but achievable if governments and stakeholders maintain commitment. With Matekane’s participation, Lesotho has aligned itself with regional and global efforts to accelerate electrification. Success will depend on translating global pledges into local projects that directly benefit rural communities. By 2030, Mission 300 aims to change the energy landscape of Sub-Saharan Africa. If targets are met, hundreds of millions will have access to electricity, unlocking economic opportunities across the region.