EAC turns energy centre of excellence into institution
ARUSHA: THE Sectoral Council on Energy, Petroleum and Mining that convened in Arusha recently has agreed to elevate the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) to an official institution of the East African Community (EAC).
The decision was made during the 16th meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers on Energy, which reviewed the status of EACREEE and directed the Secretariat to collaborate with the EAC Secretariat to develop a concept paper outlining the centre’s progress, challenges and opportunities for the partner states and the region.
In his remarks during the Ministerial Session’s official opening, Dr Anthony Kafumbe, Counsel to the Community (CTC), speaking on behalf of Deputy Secretary-General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Mr Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, underscored the importance of collective efforts to provide sustainable energy access to over 130 million EAC citizens.
“Reliable and affordable energy is essential for the transformation and development envisioned in our EAC Vision 2050,” Dr Kafumbe said.
He stressed the need to harness the region’s diverse energy resources, promote technological innovation and foster regional cooperation.
EACREEE’s primary mandate is to drive collaboration among partner states and create a platform for the private sector and development partners to support efforts in closing energy access gaps, meeting rising energy demands and advancing climate action.
The transformation of EACREEE into an EAC institution is expected to have minimal or no financial implications for the community, as the centre has already demonstrated its sustainability by successfully mobilising resources and funding its operations without direct cash contributions from the partner states.
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The full institutionalisation of EACREEE is expected to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and promote energy efficiency, contributing not only to national and regional development but also to global efforts to combat climate change and ensure sustainable energy for all.
EACREEE’s focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency aligns with the EAC Treaty, EAC Vision 2050, the 6th EAC Development Strategy (2021/22 – 2025/26), the EAC Energy Security Policy Framework (2018) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
During the meeting, other items discussed include the implementation of previous Sectoral Council decisions, the progress of the Draft Regional EAC Energy Efficiency Policy and the outcomes of the 10th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE’23).
Preparations for the 11th and 12th East African Petroleum Conferences and Exhibitions (EAPCE’25 and EAPCE’27) were also reviewed.
Regarding the 11th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE’25), set to take place from March 5th–7th, 2025, at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the Sectoral Council noted that 50 per cent of the expected 1,000 delegates had already registered.
They urged all Partner States to complete delegate registrations by February 28th, 2025. The Sectoral Council also discussed the current state of power supply and the implementation status of the East African Power System Master Plan (EAPMP).
It noted that access to electricity and per capita consumption levels remain low in the region and called for increased investments in generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, alongside demand stimulation strategies.
