The East African Community (EAC) has adopted its Energy Security Policy Framework seeking to ensure the security of the region’s biomass, electricity, and oil and gas supplies.
According to Mr. Elsam Byempaka Turyahabwe, Energy Expert at the EAC, Partner States are implementing a number Energy projects to address the low access to modern energy services in the region. However, energy security is a major challenge in the EAC and globally.
“This EAC Energy Security Framework aims to provide regional guidance to Partner States in the management and mitigation of the challenge” said . Mr. Turyahabwe. “We also anticipate that greater effort will be made at pursuing regional solutions to parts of the security of supply challenges in the biomass, electricity and oil and gas sub-sectors”.
Mr. Yohannes Hailu, Energy Economist at UN Economic Commission for Africa, confirmed that this framework would address pertinent energy security issues still prevailing in the EAC region, if implemented by all the Partner States.
“Deforestation, rising wood and charcoal prices, devoting large share of our national budget towards the importation of oil and gas, electricity affordability and reliability, among others, are all signals that we needed to look at energy security and come up with a framework that enables us to address and prevent the security challenges” said Hailu.
The Sectorial Council on Energy of the EAC adopted this framework early this month in Arusha, after being signed by the six-member states (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda).
Recognizing energy as pivotal to their transformational agenda, the ECA partner States have set ambitious development plans prioritizing the energy sector.
ECA, through its office for Eastern Africa, collaborated with EAC in the development of the framework.
Mr. Hailu stated that East African countries have been depending nearly exclusively on imported refined petroleum, and with new discoveries of oil and gas reserves in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, a regional framework on energy security management is timely.
“Disruption in the supply of imported energy, particularly hydrocarbons, and/or sharp swings in their price, would cause macroeconomic impacts that could undermine the momentum of economic development taking place in East Africa”, highlighted Hailu.
Mr. Hailu explained that energy security is a component of economic stability because the lack of it hampers the proper functioning of socioeconomic systems and undermines economic activities, particularly in energy-intensive industries.
The EAC becomes the first regional economic community to adopt an Energy Security Policy Framework in Africa.
- ENDS -
Issued by: Office for Eastern Africa Economic Commission for Africa
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 15 August 2017:
The 2nd Executive Board meeting of the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) was held in Kampala, Uganda on 11th August, 2017.
The well-attended board meeting from Partner States except the Republic of South Sudan was the follow up of the first meeting which was held on June 10, 2016.
Addressing the board members, the Chairman of the Executive Board and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda, Dr. Steven Isabalija, hailed the continued support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) to the East African Community in the Energy and more specifically in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by EACREEE in its early stages of operation and urged collective efforts among stakeholders in addressing the same.
On his part, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of the Productive and Social Sectors, Hon Christophe Bazivamo, informed the board that the EAC integration was business oriented, adding that energy was key to promoting business in the region.
"Low energy access rates, expensive electricity, poor cooking solutions have been hampering the region's development," said Hon Bazivamo.
He reminded the meeting that the original plan of EAC was to have EACREEE as an EAC institution, however due to financial constraints other innovative ways were devised and hence College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) was selected to host EACREEE as a Centre of Excellence.
Hon. Bazivamo disclosed that efforts were underway for the EAC through the Inter -University Council of East Africa to ensure effective management of the EAC Centers of Excellence through the harmonization of management guidelines.
The Principal of CEDAT, Prof Henry Alinaitwe, thanked the EAC Council of Ministers for selecting CEDAT to host EACREE and commended the support of UNIDO and ADA towards the Centre. Prof. Alinaitwe revealed that since its inauguration, CEDAT has been working with several stakeholders to advance the Centre's activities.
During the deliberations, the meeting took note of the progress report and of the challenges experienced by College of Engineering, Art, Design and Technology (CEDAT) in the implementation process especially in regards to the registration of EACREEE as a legal entity handling programmes that are regional in nature.
The meeting agreed on the need for formulation of a Roadmap/Transitional document on how and when the Centre will graduate from being hosted in CEDAT to be a fully-fledged Centre of EAC.
Against the above observations and to take matters forward, the meeting arrived at the following resolutions:
Urged Makerere University CEDAT in collaboration with EAC Secretariat to expedite implementation of the decision of the 33rd meeting of Council by registering a semi-autonomous EACREEE under CEDAT.
Urged CEDAT to open a separate account under Makerere University CEDAT in the name of EACREEE by 30th September 2017;
Requested the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with CEDAT to work on the transitional roadmap in line with decisions of the 33rd Meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The Executive Board to continue managing EACREEE under the current set up and;
The Sectoral Council to reconsider the governing structure of EACREEE.
The meeting also took note of the proposal presented by UNIDO on the tentative agenda for conducting a sustainable energy forum for EAC by EACREEE in February 2018. The meeting commended the initiative by UNIDO and requested the formation of a joint organizing committee. The Forum will be organized in one of the EAC Partner States that were requested to support the forum. The meeting requested Partner States to express interest in hosting this conference by 30th September, 2017.
The Technical Committee and National Focal Institutions (NFI) for EACREEE as well as launching the Centre on 11th June, 2016.
- ENDS -
Notes to Editor:
The 33rd Meeting of the Council of Ministers held on 29th February 2016 designated the College of Engineering, Art, Design and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University, Kampala,Uganda as a Centre of Excellence for renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) and directed that CEDAT collaborates with other institutions dealing with Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency within the Partner States. Based on the approved Project Document, the 11th Sectoral Council on Energy directed the EAC Secretariat to implement the directive of the council by constituting the Executive Board.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Bujumbura, Burundi; 07 June 2017:
East African Community Partner States have been called upon to minimize dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza said dependence on fossil fuels exposes the EAC Partner States to the risks arising from volatility of petroleum prices in the international market and the associated challenges in attaining domestic energy security.
President Nkurunziza further noted that East Africa’s limited infrastructure in terms of refineries, pipelines and storage facilities remained a constraint to stability in fuel prices.
President Nkurunziza disclosed that EAC Partner States spend more than 10 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product to import refined petroleum products.
“We are all aware that without sufficient energy, we can neither create wealth nor enhance our competitiveness, production, trade and investments. The EAC therefore attaches great significance to cooperation in the exploration and development of energy resources available in the region,” said President Nkurunziza.
President Nkurunziza was addressing delegates when he officially opened the 8th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2017 (EAPCE’ 17) in Bujumbura, Burundi.
He said that the East African region had demonstrated high potential for oil and gas resources, adding that it was only through concerted efforts by various stakeholders that successful petroleum exploration ventures could be mounted.
“In Burundi, the exploration of petroleum resources at Rusizi and Lake Tanganyika basins has commenced in four blocks of 1,477.5 km2 offshore and 793.1 km2. The government of Burundi continues to encourage oil companies to invest in petroleum exploration. It is also reviewing the Petroleum Code of 1976 for purposes of attracting more investors,” he said.
President Nkurunziza said that recent discoveries made in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in addition to the existing oil industry in South Sudan had positioned East Africa as the world’s most promising frontier for petroleum exploration and development.
The EAPCE’ 17 is being held under the theme: East Africa – the Emerging Hotspot for Oil and Gas Exploration, Infrastructure Development and Commercialization.
In his remarks, Dr. Ali Kirunda Kivejinja, the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and Uganda’s Minister for East African Affairs, said that EAC Partner States had over the years invested huge resources – both human and financial – towards petroleum exploration, efforts which have begun to bear fruit throughout the region.
EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said that there had been increased investments in the region’s oil and gas sector in recent times with the recent discoveries.
“Today, the East African region has benefited from advances in technology and management of exploration and production which has led to the discovery of commercially viable oil and gas deposits,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
Alluding to the oil curse that has been the bane of many oil-producing countries on the African continent, the Secretary General said East Africa has an obligation to learn from other countries and put petroleum resources to good use.
Amb. Mfumukeko said that despite the effects of fluctuating global oil prices, EAC economies had been able to withstand the shocks, adding that the continued growth was testimony to the conducive environment in the region.
“This stability offers long term prospects for returns on investments to potential investors, irrespective of any headwinds the global economy may encounter,” he noted.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 25 May 2017:
The EAC Secretariat, the Government of Burundi and other EAC Partner States are finalizing preparations for the 8th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE’17) set to be held in Bujumbura, Burundi from 7th to 9th June 2017.
The three-day conference themed "East Africa - An Emerging Hotspot for Oil and Gas Exploration, Infrastructure Development and Commercialization" will bring together top players in the oil and gas sector as well as policy and decision makers from the region to dialogue on the potential that lies within the region while sharing information on the status of development of the sector in each Partner State.
EAPCE’17 will include an exhibition where investors, enterprises, researchers and academia will collectively showcase new products and services as well as exhibit the latest advances in the exploitation of both renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
The Conference programme also integrates field excursions to selected sites in each Partner State for participants to see the rich geological variety that the region possesses as well as the touristic attractions that the region is well known for.
H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi, has been invited to grace the official opening ceremony of the Conference.
Other high level dignitaries expected to attend the Conference include Amb. Libérat Mfumukeko, the EAC Secretary General as well as line Ministers and heads of the respective Agencies from all EAC Partner States, who shall engage stakeholders on critical steps needed to leverage higher levels of investment in the oil and gas sector.
Speaking ahead of the Conference, the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Libérat Mfumukeko said the Conference provides unique networking opportunities with government, private sector, regional organizations, academia, technology developers, investors and civil society.
“Recent discoveries of oil and gas in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in addition to the existing oil industry in South Sudan have positioned East Africa as the world’s most promising frontier for petroleum exploration and development,” added Amb. Mfumukeko.
The Secretary General said the EAC Partner State shall share their policy, legal and regulatory frameworks and other initiatives aimed at continually improving the enabling environment in the sector.
EAPCE’17 is taking place at the peak of EAC's transforming into a Common Market. This transformation is geared towards providing great opportunities for business and investment in all sectors as the single market provides for free movement of goods, capital and services within the region.
EAPCE’17 will among others address the following critical issues:
Exploration and development in the East African Rift and Coastal Basins as well as Deep water and Inland Basins;
Commercialization of discovered oil and gas resources from field development, reservoir management and data management;
Local content in Africa and how it is likely to impact the future development of the petroleum sector;
The latest technological advancements in the petroleum sector; and
The balance needed between environmental management and the development of the petroleum value chain.
Registration for participation at the Conference closes on 6th June 2017. For more information on EAPCE’17, visit the conference website: www.eapce17.eac.int
- ENDS -
Notes to Editor:
The EAC has been holding the East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE) biennially since 2003 to promote exploration, development and production of oil and gas. The main objective of the Conference and Exhibition is to promote investment in the oil and gas sector by demonstrating to the world the potential that lies within the region and sharing information on the status of development of the sector in each Partner State.
The Conference offers a wide range of technical presentations reflecting developments in the oil and gas industry in East Africa and around the world. The Conference provides a forum for discussing the legal and policy framework and the overall business environment prevailing in the region. It gives stakeholders in the oil and gas sector an opportunity to interact with EAC senior government officials and decision makers.
The Conference integrates an exhibition and field excursions that have become a popular feature of the Conference, attracting more and more participants with each successive Conference.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, over the weekend presided over the Ministerial Session of the 12th Council of Ministers Meeting of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).
The Ministerial Session was attended by five Ministers: Dr. Eng. Seleshi Bekele (Minister of Water Irrigation and Electricity, Ethiopia); Eng. Tarek El Molla (Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Egypt); Hon. Dr. Tabitha Boutros (Minister of State for Electricity and Dams, Sudan), Eng. Irene Muloni (Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda), and; Prof. Sospeter Muhongo (Minister for Energy and Minerals, Tanzania), who also chaired the Ministerial Session.
Prof. Sospeter Muhongo, Minister for Energy and Minerals, Tanzania, who also chaired the Ministerial Session while officially opening the Ministerial Session thanked the Ministers for their continued support and commitment to the EAPP project.
In his remarks, EAC Secretary General Amb. Mfumukeko emphasized the importance of the EAPP in contributing to socio-economic growth in East Africa.
“The provision of adequate, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy services is a key priority area in our energy sector for realizing the vision we have for East Africa as well as electricity interconnectivity across borders to promote the broader EAC objective of attracting investment and promoting competitiveness and trade,” he said.
Amb. Liberat urged EAPP to engage with the EAC Secretariat and its Partner States in the formulation of the 10-year Strategic Action Plan which will address the underlying challenges within the energy sector across the region.
EAPP’s main objective is to optimize development of energy resources in the region and to ease the access to electricity power supply to all citizens of the countries in the Eastern Africa Region through the regional power interconnections.
Member countries of the region have actively been implementing power generation and transmission projects. Most of the interconnection projects are now progressing so fast that before 2020 all of EAPP's members, except Libya and Egypt, will be interconnected by power exchange (trade). Libya and Egypt are already connected but the proposed link between Egypt and Sudan is now at feasibility study stage.
Present at the meeting were senior officers from the member countries’ energy sectors, Independent Regulatory Board members and Development Partners including the World Bank, Power Africa, Sweden, African Development Bank, Norway and China.
The participants engaged in discussions around Bilateral Trading Platforms which is part of EAPP’s future prospects. This will make it easier to enter into short term bi-lateral trades between EAPP members and EAPP members and non-EAPP members that they are interconnected with. It also aspires to facilitate the trading of electrical products (energy, capacity, reserves) and transportation (transmission).
Members of the Steering Committee, energy stakeholders and partners present at the meeting also discussed the status of the EAPP Interconnection Code Compliance Program, considered priority areas for mobilization of funds and explored renewable energy resources development and alternative transmission financing modalities.
As part of the milestones EAPP has so far achieved is development of a detailed Process and Principles documents that provides a step by step stakeholder process (simulates regulatory process) and technical guidance. This is to support transmission of firm power sale from Ethiopia to Tanzania (200 MWs) for 20 years.
At the closing session, Prof. Muhongo cited that EAPP was also looking to standardize willing charges among its member states in order to facilitate smooth exchange of power within the region. He also handed the over Chairmanship to Eng. Irene Muloni, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development who will chair the Council of Ministers for the next year.
The Training of Trainers Workshop on Small Hydropower Development organized by the East African Community (EAC) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) concluded on 22nd December 2016 at the Blue Pearl Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The 30th November, 2016 to 21st December, 2016 workshop commissioned to the University of Dar es Salaam, College of Engineering, and Technology to carry out a Training of Trainers, covered training of fifteen tertiary Institutions from EAC Partner States, curriculum development and development of online platform to facilitate sharing of information as well as experience among small hydropower development stakeholders in East Africa.
The overall objective of the workshop was to enhance technical capacity for Small Hydropower Development in East African in order to increase access to electricity in the region and ensure there is a pool of people able to carry out operation as well as maintenance of small hydropower project.
Addressing the participants of the workshop during the official closing session, the Head of Cooperation from the Italian Embassy, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Mr Fabio Gigantino said, “ People of East Africa need affordable and reliable energy, produced in a sustainable manner”
Mr. Fabio Gigantino, who represented the Italian Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania disclosed to the participants that among all renewable sources, small hydropower can be duly held as one of the most promising for sustainable water and energy development.
He noted that small hydropower development can provide needed energy services in a sustainable manner in the East African Countries. The East African Community may become a pacesetter in Africa also in this filed, added the Mr. Fabio Gigantino.
“Let me assure you that the Italian government will make all the necessary efforts to support Small Hydropower Development in East African”.
In his part the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, Hon Christophe Bazivamo said development of small hydropower projects is important in the region because it is necessary for solving the problem of electricity access and also because it brings with number of benefits and opportunities for the East African Community.
He disclosed to the participants that EAC has vast potential for small hydropower according to the scoping study carried out by the EAC with the support from EU Energy Initiative Partnership Dialogue Facility (EUEI PDF), the potential for small hydropower in the EAC region is estimated at 4,097MW scattered in over 750 sites.
The EAC official informed the participants that the programme for small hydropower development is one among others that the EAC is undertaking. In the electricity sector, the region is implementing a Power Master Plan, which outlines priority generation and transmission projects for meeting the region electricity demand over the next twenty-five years, added Deputy Secretary General.
“I am please to inform you that a number of major generation and transmission projects are under implementation with the region expected to have its power system interconnected by 2020 to facilitate regional power trade.’’
Speaking at the same occasion, Acting Head of Energy Division, at the African Union Commission (AUC), Mr. Rashid Abdallah assured the participants that the African Union Commission is supporting the African Member States and the Region Economic Communities to strengthen and accelerate effective governance and regulatory reforms promoting management practices that will increase competition and attract private investments in the development of the energy sector.
On his part, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, University of Dar es Salaam, Prof.Cuthbert Kimambo said despite the fact that the region is endowed with various energy resources most of which have not been well developed. He called for the region to take advantage of the various energy resources available to enhance access to modern energy services through renewable and sustainable solution.
The Training of Trainers Workshop on Small Hydropower Development funded by Italian government saw 12 participants from EAC Partner States who participated in the workshop being awarded certificate for completing the programme.
