The Independent Regulatory Board (IRB) of the Eastern Africa Power Pool has taken a significant step toward operationalizing regional electricity trade, convening a regulatory workshop from 14th to 17th April 2026 to consolidate the framework that will underpin cross-border power exchange.
The workshop, held just weeks ahead of the anticipated launch of regional power trade, reflects the IRB’s proactive approach to ensuring that the market is supported by robust, transparent, and enforceable regulatory instruments. The session was chaired by Dr. Geofrey Okoboi member of the Economic Regulation Committee on behalf of the Acting Director General of the IRB.
Deliberations focused on finalizing key pillars required for a functional regional electricity market. These included the development of comprehensive guidelines for regulating cross-border power trade, the establishment of clear procedures for market monitoring, the definition of non-discriminatory access rules, and the design of a sanctions framework to ensure compliance and accountability among participating utilities and market actors.
The workshop brought together over twenty-five delegates from EAPP member states—Uganda, Egypt, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, and Burundi—demonstrating strong regional collaboration and a shared commitment to accelerating energy integration.
This engagement was delivered in partnership with the African Development Bank and GET.transform. The initiative is designed to strengthen institutional and regulatory frameworks that support renewable energy investments and expand access to clean, reliable electricity across the continent.
As the Eastern Africa region moves closer to launching a competitive and interconnected power market, the IRB’s efforts signal a critical milestone in building a credible regulatory environment—one that will facilitate efficient power trade, enhance energy security, and unlock new opportunities for economic growth across member states.