{"id":6847,"date":"2022-10-08T14:40:21","date_gmt":"2022-10-08T14:40:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ugandaupdatenews.com\/?p=6847"},"modified":"2022-10-11T10:36:48","modified_gmt":"2022-10-11T10:36:48","slug":"greater-horn-of-africa-energy-leaders-push-for-universal-access-to-electricity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/greater-horn-of-africa-energy-leaders-push-for-universal-access-to-electricity\/","title":{"rendered":"Greater Horn of Africa Energy Leaders Push for Universal Access to Electricity as International Energy Agency releases growth potential report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By Dominc Ochola<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Energy sector leaders have rallied governments in the Greater Horn of African region to create a conducive investment environment for universal access to electricity to spur economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their call follows a report published by the International Energy Agency \u2013 IEA, a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization that provides policy recommendations, analysis and data on the entire global energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IEA\u2019s report released on October 7th 2022 in Kampala  revealed that despite the existing modern mix of clean energy, 140 million people in the Greater Horn of Africa that include; Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda lack access to electricity.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Representatives from the Horn of Africa member states attended the report launch at Munyonyo Resort -presided over by the State Minister for Energy Hon.Okaasai Sidronius Opolot. Others who attended included the Head of Communication at the Energy Ministry , Dr. Patricia Litho.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"530\" data-attachment-id=\"6849\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/greater-horn-of-africa-energy-leaders-push-for-universal-access-to-electricity\/op-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/op-2.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"960,530\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"op-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/op-2.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/op-2.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/op-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6849\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/op-2.jpg 960w, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/op-2.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/op-2.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Hon. Okasaai answering questions from journalists after the report release <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the report, energy infrastructure in the Greater Horn of Africa has struggled to keep pace with a fast-growing population, creating a formidable hurdle for the region\u2019s flexible economies that can be overcome through stronger deployment of energy efficiency and renewable technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dubbed \u2018Clean Energy Transitions\u2019, the report reveals that the countries in the region have huge underexploited potential for wind and solar power, and have already demonstrated they can find innovative solutions to extend electricity access to underserved populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While delivering her keynote remarks during a regional energy dialogue at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on Friday, Mary Burce Warlick, the IEA Deputy Executive Director described the Greater Horn of Africa- a home to the world\u2019s fastest growing economies, but its potential is at risk if energy infrastructure cannot keep pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The State Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Sidranious Opolot Okaasai noted that Uganda has massive, underutilized potential for solar, wind and geothermal power and is one of the front-runners for mini-grid expansion projects to ensure universal access to electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, the Uganda Country Manager of the African Development Bank  noted that that achieving these objectives requires supportive policies, better regulatory frameworks, regional cooperation and international financial assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bioenergy \u2013 often in the form of gathered firewood, charcoal and agricultural waste \u2013 currently meets around 80% of the greater Horn of Africa\u2019s energy demand. As of 2020, the Greater Horn of Africa with a combined population of 188.928, only one in six people cooks with modern fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The report revealed that the eight countries of the Greater Horn of Africa represent nearly a quarter of sub-Saharan Africa\u2019s Gross Domestic Product &#8211; GDP, yet their total energy consumption is less than that of Belgium and the Netherlands combined \u2013 but with 10 times the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The United Nations \u2013 UN General Assembly in 2015 prioritized access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all as Goal 7 enshrined in the 17 Sustainable Development Goal \u2013 SDGs. According to the UN, 789 million people \u2013 predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa \u2013 are living without access to electricity, and hundreds of millions more only have access to unreliable electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/u\/0\/settings\/storage?hl=en&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_source=gmail&amp;utm_campaign=storage_meter&amp;utm_content=storage_very_high\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/u\/0\/settings\/storage?hl=en&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_source=gmail&amp;utm_campaign=storage_meter&amp;utm_content=storage_very_high\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/intl\/en\/policies\/terms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/intl\/en\/policies\/privacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/gmail\/about\/policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Dominc Ochola Energy sector leaders have rallied governments in the Greater Horn of African region to create a conducive<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6848,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[87],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energy"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/op.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13187,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/partnering-for-power-medias-influence-in-ugandas-energy-roadmap\/","url_meta":{"origin":6847,"position":0},"title":"Partnering for Power: Media&#8217;s Influence in Uganda&#8217;s Energy Roadmap","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"November 3, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"By Zulfah Namatovu Uganda's push for universal energy access is increasingly emphasizing the media's strategic role, with government leaders encouraging media outlets to adopt a proactive and balanced approach in communicating energy initiatives to the public. This appeal came during a panel discussion at the Renewable Energy Conference (REC) on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;National News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/med2.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/med2.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/med2.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/med2.jpg 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14706,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/the-inaugural-africa-electricity-summit-opens-in-uganda-energy-minister-nankabirwa-says-technology-is-key-for-universal-access-to-electricity\/","url_meta":{"origin":6847,"position":1},"title":"The Inaugural Africa Electricity Summit Opens In Uganda ,  Energy Minister Nankabirwa Says Technology Is Key For Universal Access To Electricity","author":"MOSES SSERWANGA","date":"June 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The inaugural Africa Electricity Symposium has officially opened \u00a0in Uganda\u2019s capital Kampala with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), \u00a0Ruth Nankabirwa, calling \u00a0for policy shifts to cultivate public-private partnerships and application of \u00a0technology to ensure universal access to reliable and affordable electricity on the African continent. \u00a0\u201cThe objective\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Africa Continental News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Africa Continental News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/africa-continental-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GuRVqgoXwAAnoiz.jpeg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GuRVqgoXwAAnoiz.jpeg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GuRVqgoXwAAnoiz.jpeg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GuRVqgoXwAAnoiz.jpeg 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10524,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/energy-policy-review-urges-expansion-of-ugandas-electricity-networks\/","url_meta":{"origin":6847,"position":2},"title":"Energy Policy Review Urges Expansion Of Uganda&#8217;s Electricity Networks","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"November 12, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Zulfah Namatovu The Uganda Energy policy Review 2023 has called for the expansion of Uganda\u2019s \u00a0electricity transmission and distribution networks to have more uagdans access electricity . The new policy review of the energy and minerals sector was launched on Friday at sheraton hotel in Kampala. This was carried\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Energy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Energy","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/energy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/mem2-scaled.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/mem2-scaled.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/mem2-scaled.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/mem2-scaled.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/mem2-scaled.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8433,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/ugandas-nuclear-energy-program-on-course-as-country-set-to-host-africa-meeting\/","url_meta":{"origin":6847,"position":3},"title":"UGANDA\u2019S NUCLEAR ENERGY PROGRAM ON COURSE AS COUNTRY SET TO HOST AFRICA MEETING ON TUESDAY","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"March 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Dominic Ochola Over 300 international nuclear community stakeholders will converge in Kampala next week to discuss Uganda and Africa\u2019s nuclear energy security and industrialization platform, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has revealed. This was revealed by Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Minister of Energy while addressing journalists at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Energy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Energy","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/energy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nan-3-scaled.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nan-3-scaled.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nan-3-scaled.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nan-3-scaled.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nan-3-scaled.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9445,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/private-sector-has-a-major-role-to-play-in-ugandas-energy-mix-agenda-to-ensure-universal-electricity-access-minister-okasaai\/","url_meta":{"origin":6847,"position":4},"title":"Private Sector has a major role to play in Uganda&#8217;s energy mix agenda to ensure universal electricity access- Minister Okasaai","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"July 14, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Zulfah Namatovu The Uganda government has expressed optimism in the private sector players' role in advancing the country's energy mix agenda to accelerate universal access to power by 2040 when Uganda is expected to produce 52,000 megawatts of electricity, State Minister for Energy Sidronious Okasaai Opolot has stated .\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Energy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Energy","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/energy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pow-scaled.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pow-scaled.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pow-scaled.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pow-scaled.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pow-scaled.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7265,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/cop27-why-africa-must-be-part-of-nuclear-energy-appetite\/","url_meta":{"origin":6847,"position":5},"title":"COP27: Why Africa Must Be Part Of Nuclear Energy Appetite","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"November 13, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"By\u00a0Wambi Michael The search for energy diversification has taken a more frantic pace amidst the global energy transition debate. Unlike in the past when some countries were skeptical or outrightly ruled nuclear out in the Net Zero debate, it will be one of the options at COP27 in Egypt. 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