ADDIS ABABA, September 26, 2024– African energy experts and stakeholders have urged governments in the COMESA region to enhance electricity regulations.
The group made the call recently as they convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a three-day workshop focused on validating the framework and initial reports for harmonised electricity tariffs and cost assessments in the COMESA region.
This initiative, supported by the African Development Bank [AfDB] and COMESA since its approval in 2022, aims to strengthen the sustainability of the electricity sector in Eastern and Southern Africa through improved regulatory frameworks.
Dubbed the “Regional Harmonisation of Regulatory Frameworks and Tools for Improved Electricity Regulation in COMESA,” this $1.5 million initiative seeks to establish effective, transparent, and enforceable regulations to stimulate cross-border electricity trade and enhance energy access across the region.
Seharla Abdulahi, Director General of the Petroleum and Energy Regulatory Authority of Ethiopia [PEA], emphasised the need for harmonised regulations to unlock regional energy trade and enhance energy security. She highlighted the alarming gap between energy supply and demand in the region, noting that 365 million people lack electricity access, while 558mln do not have access to clean cooking facilities.
“It is imperative that we transform this narrative,” Abdulahi stated in a message delivered by Bahru Olijra Debel, PEA’s Director of Electricity Sector Regulation. “By leveraging our collective expertise and political will, we can accelerate electrification, attract investment, and create a sustainable energy future for all.”
Dr. Mohamedain Seif Elnasr, CEO of the Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa [RAERESA], spoke on behalf of the implementing agency, noting that the workshop aims to validate key project deliverables to advance progress.
He stressed COMESA’s commitment to developing regional energy infrastructure, highlighting the importance of a supportive regulatory environment in attracting private investment and fostering competition.
Elnasr also referenced other collaborative programs between COMESA and the World Bank aimed at increasing energy access for 100mln people and promoting renewable energy deployment. These include the Regional Infrastructure Finance Facility and the newly launched Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Transformation in Eastern and Southern Africa Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach [ASCENT MPA].
James Wahogo, Secretary General of the East African Power Pool, praised RAERESA for securing AfDB support and effectively coordinating project activities. “We all need to build on this momentum while addressing the ongoing barriers to deeper integration of our regional power systems,” he remarked.
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