Nairobi Workshop Shapes Future of Africa’s Energy Regulation and Access
By Shadrack Nyakoe
Energy regulators and experts from across Africa gathered in Nairobi today for a validation workshop focusing on the 2024 Electricity Regulatory Index for Africa (ERI), hosted by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) of Kenya.
Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, Director General of EPRA, welcomed delegates, including key figures from the African Development Bank (AfDB), to the crucial event. He highlighted Kenya’s commitment to advancing the continent’s energy agenda and expressed gratitude to the AfDB for selecting Kenya as the host country.
“This validation workshop is a critical milestone in assessing regulatory performance across the continent and shaping actionable recommendations for achieving Africa’s electricity access and sustainability goals,” Bargoria stated.
He detailed EPRA’s role in regulating Kenya’s energy sector, emphasizing the positive impact of the ERI on the country’s regulatory outcomes.
Notably, he pointed to the enactment of the Energy Act 2019, the development of regulations for mini-grids and net metering, and enhanced consumer protection frameworks as significant achievements.
Bargoria showcased Kenya’s leadership in renewable energy, particularly geothermal, solar, and wind, and acknowledged the challenges that remain, especially in ensuring equitable energy access in rural areas.
He stressed the importance of addressing the 44% of African countries that still score below 0.500 on the ERI, indicating significant gaps in regulatory effectiveness.
“The role of regulators is becoming increasingly complex, requiring a delicate balance between innovation, reliability, affordability, and sustainability,” he noted, urging regulators to address emerging challenges like grid modernization, renewable energy integration, and AI-driven grids.
He commended the AfDB for the ERI program, which fosters collaboration and provides a structured framework for regulatory improvement.
While the Regulatory Governance Index (RGI) shows progress, Bargoria highlighted the need to improve the Regulatory Outcome Index (ROI) to translate policies into tangible benefits for consumers.
Bargoria emphasized the importance of regional cooperation through organizations like the Energy Regulators Association of East Africa (EREA) and the Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa (RAERESA). He encouraged peer learning and benchmarking, citing the success of the Peer Review and Learning Network programme (PRLN) hosted by the University of Cape Town.
He also addressed the envisioned Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), stressing the need for collaboration among regional power pools to achieve intra-African energy trade and ensure energy security and affordability.
“We are today reminded of the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing,” Bargoria concluded. “Let us have active discussions where we will share best practices and harmonize regulatory approaches to improve the continent’s electricity sector.”
The workshop aims to validate the 2024 ERI findings, ensuring accurate data collection and reflecting the realities on the ground, ultimately driving positive change in Africa’s energy landscape.
