The Independent Regulatory Board (IRB) of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) apprised a delegation from the Zanzibar Utilities Regulatory Authority (ZURA), of the progress with the Eastern Africa Electricity Market, on 11th February, 2026. This was during an engagement held at the IRB Offices in Kampala – Uganda.
The delegation led by Eng. Abdallah Haji Steni, the Director Technical Department at ZURA, sought to learn about the IRB’s Regulatory oversight role, Market operations, and experiences in supporting Renewable Energy integration at the Regional level.
During the engagement, CPA Jane Samba Mwawasi, Director Economic Regulation/Team Lead at the IRB, highlighted the steps that have been taken so far towards the Launch of the Eastern Africa Electricity Market. These include: the development of Market Rules; the establishment of the IRB Secretariat in Kampala – Uganda; Interconnection Projects across different countries; and ongoing Harmonization of Electricity Regulatory Frameworks of the EAPP Member Countries.
Additionally, the IRB is currently undertaking the development of Guidelines for Regulating Cross-Border Power Trade, Procedures for Market Monitoring, Access Rules and Dispute Resolution Regulations, and establishment of a Market Monitoring and Surveillance function at the IRB.
CPA Mwawasi emphasized that Regional Integration through the EAPP is critical for improving Reliability of Supply and reducing the Cost of Electricity Access in Eastern Africa; and noted the key drivers for success of the integrated Market. These include: Harmonization of Regulatory frameworks, a Common Vision, Political Will, Resilience, Diversification of Renewable Energy sources, Investment in the necessary Cross-Border infrastructure, and learning from the existing, more mature Integrated Markets.
The delegation noted that with the development of the Power market, there is an opportunity for Reforms in different countries to support their trading in the Regional market. It further noted that the Power pool arrangement aids development as countries with scarcity can tap from countries with surplus Energy; and expressed the willingness of ZURA to become a Member of the Eastern Africa Power Pool.
The ZURA delegation was on a benchmarking visit to Uganda; during which it had engagements with various stakeholders in Uganda’s Energy Sector, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the Electricity Regulatory Authority, Bujagali Energy Limited, and Emerging Power Limited.
– END –