In Nairobi, the African Development Bank, in collaboration with Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), convened a high‑level peer learning session for African electricity regulators to strengthen tariff‑setting frameworks and enhance regulatory capacity in support of universal energy access under Mission 300. The event was held as a side session to EPRA’s 7th Annual Regional Research and Innovation Conference and brought together regulators, utilities, regional bodies, and development partners from across Africa to exchange practical experiences on tariff frameworks, cost‑of‑service studies, and stakeholder engagement.
The session, themed “Strengthening Tariff Setting Frameworks for Advancing Energy Affordability and Security in Sustainable Development,” emphasized the critical role of regulators in balancing affordability, financial sustainability, and investor confidence. Callixte Kambanda of the African Development Bank highlighted that achieving universal access requires strong regulatory systems alongside infrastructure investment, underscoring regulators’ pivotal role in shaping enabling environments for Mission 300.
This peer learning activity forms part of the Bank’s Africa Energy Sector Technical Assistance Program (AESTAP), which supports countries in implementing policy, regulatory, and institutional reforms under their National Energy Compacts. Kenya’s tariff review framework was presented as a case study, with EPRA sharing lessons from its multi‑year tariff methodology, public participation model, and performance‑based regulatory practices. Discussions also addressed challenges such as political‑economic constraints, consumer protection, renewable energy integration, utility financial sustainability, and resource mobilization.
The initiative aligns with Mission 300, a joint effort by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. Robust regulatory frameworks are recognized as essential to ensuring expanded access is financially sustainable, equitable, and attractive to investors. Through AESTAP, the Bank is supporting multiple countries with tariff reforms, cost‑of‑service studies, utility performance enhancement, and broader regulatory strengthening.
By facilitating regulator‑to‑regulator knowledge exchange, the African Development Bank and EPRA aim to foster stronger regional cooperation, harmonize regulatory approaches, and build a continent‑wide network of regulators equipped to support Africa’s energy transition and universal access goals.
