African Utility Companies Urged to Strengthen Collaboration for Affordable Electricity

Key Takeaways

• The Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Mr Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, has called on African utility companies to strengthen collaboration for affordable and reliable electricity.
• Africa's fragmented approaches and lack of cooperation among countries hinder industrial growth, poverty reduction efforts, and sustainable employment opportunities.
• The Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) aims to create a strong African single electricity market and improve the capacity of public power utilities across the continent.
• APUA's 60th Annual General Meeting is taking place in Accra, hosted by the VRA in partnership with other Ghanaian power utilities.

The challenges facing Africa's electricity sector are complex, but our unity, our expertise, and our shared vision give us strength.

Africa's power sector is undergoing profound transformation, with utilities navigating complex challenges such as financial sustainability, infrastructure expansion, renewable integration, digitalisation, cybersecurity, and regional market readiness.

Background & Context

The Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) was established to promote the development of a strong African single electricity market, improve the capacity of public power utilities across the continent, and foster cooperation among African utility companies.

APUA's vision is to create a unified African electricity market that is competitive, sustainable, and accessible to all.

Key Findings

Mr Obeng-Kenzo noted that Africa's fragmented approaches and lack of cooperation among countries hinder industrial growth, poverty reduction efforts, and sustainable employment opportunities.

The VRA Chief Executive emphasized that APUA continues to demonstrate that African utilities can lead, innovate, and shape the future of energy on the continent.

Broader Implications

The proposed APUA Database Management System (APUA-DBMS) is central to strengthening the Association's collective intelligence and enabling evidence-based decision-making across the continent.

The database management system project is expected to enhance data governance, digital readiness, and institutional memory, which are becoming increasingly strategic as Africa's power sector continues to evolve.

Looking Ahead

APUA's leadership, technical programmes, and partnerships with institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the African Union Commission, and AUDA-NEPAD are helping utilities build capacity, strengthen governance, and prepare for the emerging continental electricity market.

The decisions taken during the 60th Annual General Meeting will support the work of APUA's CEOs, guide regional engagements, and reinforce the Association's position as a pillar of Africa's energy future.