The Independent Regulatory Board (IRB) of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) held its 10th Board Meeting at the Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania, from 3rd to 4th December, 2025.

The meeting Chaired by the Outgoing Chairperson of the IRB and Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) of Uganda, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, was attended by Seven (7) Member Countries of the Board, namely: Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, the Republic of Sudan, and the Republic of South Sudan.

Eng. Waako in her remarks at the meeting highlighted the milestones attained by the IRB since its last physical Board Meeting held in April 2025, including the following:

  1. Making operational the IRB Office in Kampala, Uganda;
  2. Review of the IRB Three-Year Action Plan to evaluate its implementation, relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with the IRB’s mandate and strategic objectives.;
  3. Analysis of Regional Regulatory Gaps and a study of harmonization of national regulatory frameworks;
  4. A Consultancy on Dispute resolution and the establishment of the Market Monitoring/Surveillance function at the IRB; and,
  5. Ongoing engagement with Development Partners for Technical and Financial Support for the Board’s activities.

Eng. Waako also highlighted the focus areas of the IRB going forward, including continuous monitoring of implementation of the Conditions Precedent for Go-Live of the EAPP Market, Capacity Building and Resource Mobilization for Institutional Sustainability.

The meeting noted the progress made in preparation for purchase and sale of Electricity through the EAPP arrangement. It also highlighted the outstanding requirements for Electricity trading, including selection of the Market Operator and complete harmonization of the Regulatory frameworks of different countries within the EAPP.

Electricity trading through the EAPP arrangement is expected to begin next year.

Mr. Berhane Gebre Asrani representing the African Development Bank, Ms. Christine Juta from GET. Transform, and Dr. Kabir Malik from the World Bank, on behalf of the Development Partners, commended the IRB for the progress made in the execution of its mandate, and gave assurances for further support in the future.

At this meeting, Eng. Waako handed over the role of Chairperson IRB to Mr. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, the Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) of Kenya, for a period of Two Years, 2025 to 2027.