MOMBASA — Kenya’s newly appointed Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Chairperson, Ali Haji Adan, has been named the new Chair of the Energy Regulators Association of East Africa (EREA) General Assembly. The announcement came as Kenya hosted the 17th EREA Annual General Assembly in Mombasa, gathering key energy leaders from across the East African Community (EAC).
The three-day meeting brought together board members, directors general, and senior technical officers from national energy regulators to assess regulatory progress and map out regional energy cooperation. This year’s theme focused on “Promoting the EAC Energy Union through enhancing efficient energy regulation and Just Energy Transition.”
Adan, speaking after his confirmation, emphasized Kenya’s role in shaping regional energy policy. “It is a privilege for Kenya to take up the Chairmanship of the EREA General Assembly at such a pivotal time for the energy sector in the region,” he said. “This is both a recognition of the progress we have made in regulatory reform and a call to action to strengthen our cooperation in supporting sustainable energy access for all.”
Kenya has emerged as a regional leader in energy reforms. Over 80% of its electricity is generated from renewable sources. It has also expanded infrastructure for transmission and petroleum distribution, and made significant strides in off-grid energy solutions. These achievements have positioned the country as a model for pro-investment energy regulation.
EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo highlighted the significance of the new role, saying, “The conference and the Chair title at the Association provide an opportunity to plan for harmonised regulations that attract cross-border investment and fast-track large-scale infrastructure projects, which improves the overall growth of the sector.”
One of the key developments ahead of the Mombasa summit was the activation of the 510-kilometer Kenya-Tanzania 400kV transmission line. The cross-border link runs from Isinya in Kajiado County to Singida through Arusha in Tanzania, enhancing regional energy connectivity.
Kenya’s energy exchange agreements with Uganda and Tanzania continue to support regional integration. In 2024, Kenya imported 751.95 GWh of electricity from Ethiopia, which accounted for 10.41% of the country’s total power consumption. That figure marked a sharp rise from 419.13 GWh, or 6.16%, reported in 2023.
Kenya is also playing a vital role in regional petroleum distribution. In 2024, 4.8 million liters of fuel were imported through Kenya for both local use and export to Uganda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi.
As Chair of EREA’s General Assembly, Adan is expected to lead a unified push toward streamlined regulation, expanded investment opportunities, and strengthened energy security across East Africa.
