African Development Bank and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Advance Electricity Tariff Reform Discussions in Nairobi

African Development Bank (AfDB), in collaboration with Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), hosted a high-level peer-learning session in Nairobi aimed at strengthening electricity tariff-setting frameworks across Africa as part of efforts to expand universal energy access under Mission 300.

The one-day session was held alongside EPRA’s 7th Annual Regional Research and Innovation Conference and brought together more than 15 national electricity regulators, utilities, regional regulatory bodies, and development partners from across the continent.

The discussions focused on enhancing tariff design methodologies, cost-of-service studies, stakeholder engagement processes, and regulatory governance frameworks. Participants explored reforms intended to balance electricity affordability, utility financial sustainability, and investor confidence within Africa’s power sector.

During the event, representatives highlighted the importance of strong and transparent regulatory systems in supporting long-term energy access goals. Officials noted that infrastructure investments alone would not be sufficient without institutional frameworks capable of ensuring fair, sustainable, and financially viable electricity tariffs.

The initiative forms part of AfDB’s Africa Energy Sector Technical Assistance Program, which supports policy, regulatory, and institutional reforms across African energy markets. The program also assists countries implementing National Energy Compacts under the Mission 300 initiative.

As part of the session, EPRA presented Kenya’s electricity tariff framework as a regional case study, showcasing its multi-year tariff methodology, public consultation mechanisms, and performance-based regulatory model.

Participants also examined major sector challenges including utility financial sustainability, renewable energy integration, consumer protection, political constraints, and financing gaps affecting electricity expansion across the continent.

Mission 300, jointly led by the World Bank Group and AfDB, aims to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. Regulators participating in the session emphasized the need for stronger regional coordination and harmonized regulatory frameworks to accelerate progress toward the target.

Through the collaboration, AfDB and EPRA aim to establish a continent-wide network of regulators focused on policy harmonization, institutional capacity building, and supporting Africa’s long-term clean energy transition.