African Energy Experts Meet in Kenya to Strengthen Electricity Regulation

NAIROBI, Xinhua: Energy experts from 45 African countries convened here on Wednesday for a two-day workshop to strengthen electricity regulatory frameworks across the continent.

The Electricity Regulatory Index (ERI) for Africa validation workshop brought together more than 200 participants, including officials from multilateral financial institutions, energy regulators, and utility companies.

Kenyan Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Director General Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria highlighted Kenya’s success in expanding electricity access to 75 percent of its population through proactive regulation and innovation.

“Our geothermal production in the Rift Valley has made Kenya a global leader in renewable energy,” he said, adding that major investments in solar and wind energy, particularly in Turkana — home to Africa’s largest wind farm — underscore the country’s commitment to clean energy.

Despite such progress, 44 percent of African countries still face significant regulatory gaps, according to Wale Shonibare, director of energy financial solutions, policy, and regulation at the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Since the launch of the ERI in 2018, the AfDB has identified key shortcomings and influenced major policy reforms across Africa.

Eva Ruganzu, project implementation support manager for East Africa at the AfDB, emphasized that strengthening regulatory frameworks, especially for mini-grid and off-grid solutions, could help reduce the 600 million people still lacking electricity access.

She urged African countries to simplify licensing processes for energy operators and enhance consumer protection measures to ensure fair pricing and equitable service delivery.