AfDB and EPRA Lead Continental Dialogue on Electricity Tariff and Energy Reform
The African Development Bank Group has intensified efforts to improve electricity regulation across Africa by convening a high-level peer learning session in Nairobi aimed at strengthening tariff-setting frameworks and regulatory capacity.
Held in collaboration with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the session brought together more than 15 national regulators, utilities, and development partners under the broader Mission 300 initiative, which seeks to expand electricity access across the continent.
The engagement took place alongside EPRA’s 7th Annual Regional Research and Innovation Conference and focused on improving cost-reflective tariff systems, enhancing regulatory governance, and strengthening stakeholder engagement in the energy sector.
Mission 300, a joint initiative of the World Bank Group and the AfDB, aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. Within this framework, regulatory reform has been identified as a critical pillar for ensuring that energy access expansion remains affordable, financially sustainable, and attractive to investors.
Speaking at the opening session, Callixte Kambanda, Division Manager for Energy Policy, Regulation and Statistics at the AfDB, stressed that strong regulatory systems are essential to achieving universal energy access in Africa.
He noted that effective tariff frameworks must balance affordability for consumers with the financial viability of utilities and confidence for investors.
Participants examined Kenya’s electricity tariff review model as a case study, with EPRA sharing insights on its multi-year tariff methodology, structured public participation processes, and performance-based regulation approach.
The discussions also addressed key sector challenges such as political and economic pressures, renewable energy integration, consumer protection, and utility financial sustainability.
The peer learning initiative forms part of the Bank’s broader technical assistance under the Africa Energy Sector Technical Assistance Program (AESTAP), which supports countries in implementing policy, legal, and institutional reforms aligned with their National Energy Compacts.
Through AESTAP, the AfDB is assisting several countries with tariff reforms, cost-of-service studies, regulatory strengthening, and utility performance improvements to enhance sector efficiency and accelerate energy access expansion.
By promoting regulator-to-regulator knowledge exchange, the AfDB and EPRA aim to build a stronger network of African energy regulators, harmonise regulatory practices across the continent, and support the long-term success of Africa’s energy transition under Mission 300.
