SEO Riders:
– AfDB’s Electricity Regulatory Index names top performers: Uganda, Kenya, Senegal among best.
– Kenya pushes access to 75% with reform and innovation in mini-grid and licensing frameworks.
– Nigeria lags behind top peers like Ghana and South Africa on regulatory environment.
A recent Electricity Regulatory Index (ERI) workshop hosted in Nairobi under the African Development Bank (AfDB) spotlighted Kenya and Senegal’s standout performance in Africa’s electricity regulation landscape. Kenya, ranked among the top 5 regulators alongside Uganda and Egypt since 2022, has driven progress through legal reforms—including the Energy Act of 2019—more transparent tariff mechanisms, and simplified licensing processes for mini-grid and off-grid projects. With over 75 percent electricity access, thanks in part to geothermal in Rift Valley and the continent’s largest wind farm in Turkana, Kenya exemplifies proactive regulation that balances renewable expansion and consumer protection.
Senegal was also recognised for solid regulatory performance supported by its rural electrification strategy and private sector participation in off-grid expansion. Despite these successes, significant regulatory gaps remain: nearly 44 percent of African countries lack robust frameworks, especially in aligning tariffs, safeguarding regulatory independence, and delivering service quality. Nigeria, while showing some strides and ranked 8th in 2020, still trails behind leaders like Ghana and South Africa and must bolster institutional capacity, transparency, and consumer trust if it aims to converge with regional best-practice benchmarks.
