Addis ababa: Ethiopia is carrying out exemplary endeavors to realize a seamless integration of electricity grids along the continent, African Union Commission Infrastructure and Energy Director Kamugisha Kazaura said. The director emphasized the importance of Ethiopia’s efforts in advancing the Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), which aims to facilitate sustainable development in the African electricity sector. This initiative, rooted in the 2019 AfCFTA Agreement, is designed to ensure that African households, businesses, and industries have access to secure, sustainable, reliable, competitive, and affordable energy.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Kazaura highlighted the progress made by some African countries in interconnecting their electricity grids, specifically mentioning Ethiopia’s connections with Sudan and Djibouti as a significant step in implementing AfSEM. Ethiopia is a member of the East African Power Pool, which includes several interconnected countries. Plans are underway to link this pool with the South African Power Pool, with ongoing projects connecting Ethiopia and Kenya, which in turn connects with Tanzania and eventually Zambia.
Kazaura elaborated on the vision for a seamless integration of electricity grids across Africa, allowing member states to trade within a single electricity market. He noted that AfSEM considers all electricity generation sources, including hydro, geothermal, solar, wind, and renewables, along with gas and oil, as part of a continental power system master plan. This plan is crucial for achieving the Africa Single Electricity Market, encouraging collaboration among numerous countries.
The African Union Commission, in collaboration with the African Development Bank and the World Bank, launched an initiative called Mission 300 this year. This initiative aims to accelerate electricity access for African citizens, with a goal to connect 300 million individuals by 2030. Kazaura acknowledged the support of various partners and donors, such as the African Development Bank, European Union, and the German government, in advancing this initiative.
AfSEM is designed to enhance energy security, sustainability, and competitiveness among African Union Member States, reflecting Ethiopia’s pivotal role in this continental effort.