@Therespondent
The World Bank (WB) and African Development Bank (AfDB) have reaffirmed their strong commitment to accelerating energy access in East Africa by supporting deeper integration of electricity markets through the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).
This was the highlight of a high-level ministerial meeting held in Kampala, Uganda, from April 16–17, 2025, bringing together energy ministers and utility CEOs from across the region.
The meeting, which marked the 25th EAPP Council of Ministers and Chief Executives Summit, focused on strategies to scale up electricity trade across borders, harmonize infrastructure standards, and address access deficits affecting millions in the region.
“We believe regional power pools like EAPP are no longer optional—they are essential. Through interconnected grids and structured power trade, we can balance supply and demand, reduce generation costs, and fast-track electrification across Eastern Africa,” said Dr. Joseph Kapeka, the World Bank’s regional energy representative.
Dr. Kapeka emphasized the World Bank’s continued support for Mission 300 (M300)—a continent-wide energy access drive that aims to connect 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by the year 2030. The initiative has been gaining momentum since it was launched during the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit hosted by Tanzania earlier this year.
Speaking at the Kampala forum, Dr. Kevin Kariuki, AfDB Vice President for Power, Energy, and Climate Change, praised Tanzania’s leadership in championing the M300 vision, following the successful hosting of the M300 Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam on January 27–28, 2025.
“Tanzania has shown Africa what committed leadership can achieve. The M300 summit was not just a meeting—it was a turning point. It sent a clear message that African countries are ready to invest in power for people and for progress,” said Dr. Kariuki.
Also read: Dr. Biteko joins East Africa energy Ministers’ meeting in Uganda
Since its founding in April 2005, the Eastern Africa Power Pool has grown to include 13 member countries, spanning a region endowed with diverse energy sources—from hydropower and solar to geothermal and gas. However, despite this potential, energy access remains uneven, with combined regional generation capacity at just 19,000 megawatts, far below projected demand.
Opening the Kampala meeting, Uganda’s State Minister for Energy, Sidronius Opolot Akaasai, said EAPP’s mission is more urgent than ever. He noted that while most member countries have already physically interconnected their grids, the regulatory and commercial frameworks for full-scale electricity trade remain underdeveloped.
“We cannot afford fragmented progress. Some countries still have electricity access rates below 50 percent. This is why EAPP must not only exist in principle but function in practice—as a powerful platform for shared prosperity,” said Minister Akaasai.
He further announced the launch of the Independent Regulatory Board (IRB) for EAPP—a new institution aimed at streamlining power trading among member states by enforcing regulatory standards, resolving disputes, and providing transparency in pricing and contracts.
Tanzania’s delegation to the Kampala summit was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, who participated in strategic discussions on regional interconnectors and private sector participation.
He was accompanied by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs (East African Cooperation), Mr. Dennis Londo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Eng. Felchesmi Mramba, and senior officials from the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO).
Dr. Biteko was applauded for Tanzania’s strides in expanding its transmission and generation capacity, as well as for creating an enabling environment for regional power trade.
“We’re proud that Tanzania is not only contributing energy to the grid but also contributing vision to the region,” noted Dr. Kariuki of AfDB.
According to officials, one of Tanzania’s flagship regional projects, the Kenya-Tanzania Interconnector has entered advanced stages and is expected to facilitate stable, high-voltage electricity trade between the two countries once fully operational.
As the Kampala summit drew to a close, ministers endorsed a joint communiqué outlining immediate priorities: accelerating cross-border power projects, operationalizing the IRB, expanding renewable energy investments, and strengthening resilience against climate-related disruptions.
Experts agree that with rising electricity demand, rapid population growth, and ongoing climate shocks, the role of regional cooperation in energy cannot be overstated.
“For millions of East Africans, electricity is still a luxury. But with political commitment, financial innovation, and regulatory alignment, we can make it a right,” said Dr. Kapeka.
The message from Kampala was clear: the path to affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity lies not within individual borders, but in regional solidarity, with institutions like the EAPP, and bold initiatives like M300, lighting the way.