Director General of Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and Chairman of Independent Regulatory Board of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, has detailed the benefits that accrue from regional electricity integration, which he says has improved stability and affordability of power in eastern Africa.

Speaking in Kenyan capital Nairobi, Kiptoo pointed out that Eastern Africa has already seen strong cross-border trade in agricultural products, livestock, manufactured goods, mining and other natural resources and energy.

In the energy and petroleum sector, Kiptoo noted, countries have engaged in trade of refined petroleum products, shared infrastructure for transmission and distribution and collaboration on energy security and standards.

“This year, the region expects energy trade to reach a new milestone with the launch of an electricity market by the EAPP,” he elaborated.

The director-general noted that regional power market will allow seamless trade in electricity through an interconnected grid, linking national systems to enable countries with surplus generation to export power to neighbours with shortfalls or high production costs.

“This integration will enhance energy security, improve grid stability and encourage efficient use of our diverse energy resources,” Kiptoo observed.

He added that a functional electricity market also enables long-term planning, allowing governments to invest strategically in generation and transmission infrastructure while benefiting from a larger, interconnected system.

Established in 2005, the EAPP has made significant progress towards operationalising the power market, including developing cross-border transmission infrastructure. This has enabled countries to exchange electricity efficiently.

For example, Kenya imports 200 megawatts of electricity from Ethiopia and maintains energy exchange contracts with Uganda and Tanzania. In 2025, Tanzania began importing power from Ethiopia via the Ethiopia-Kenya-Tanzania interconnector, marking a significant milestone in regional energy trade.

Kiptoo explained the Independent Regulatory Board’s role in harmonising regulatory frameworks, which ensures predictable, efficient and fair conditions for all participating countries. The frameworks reduce administrative barriers and establish uniform standards on grid codes, tariffs, market operations, safety and dispute resolution.

He stressed that pooling national strengths in hydropower, geothermal, wind and solar power allows countries to lower costs, improve reliability and reduce system-wide risks that no single market could manage alone.

“Regional electricity integration is a powerful development tool, turning national assets into shared resilience, accelerating energy access and delivering affordable, reliable power for long-term growth,” Bargoria said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Michael Omondi