The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), through its Consulting Services, hosted a delegation from the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC) led by SLEWRC Chairman, Mr. Lansana Philip Karimu, and Director General, Mr. Kallay Festus, from 19th to 23rd October 2026 for a Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange Programme aimed at strengthening the Commission’s capacity to regulate Sierra Leone’s Electricity Sector.
Funded by the World Bank, the programme built on earlier virtual training sessions and provided a platform for the two regulatory institutions to exchange experiences, approaches, and lessons from their respective electricity sectors.
During the week-long engagement, ERA’s technical experts took the delegation through key areas of electricity regulation, including regulatory governance, economic regulation and tariff setting, licensing, compliance and enforcement, quality and reliability of electricity supply, consumer protection, stakeholder engagement and communication.
The sessions also provided insights into Uganda’s electricity-sector reforms and ERA’s approach to balancing the interests of consumers, licensees, investors, and the government. Discussions highlighted the importance of transparent, predictable, and evidence-based regulatory decisions in attracting investment, promoting sector sustainability, and protecting electricity consumers.
To complement the technical sessions with the practical exposure, the programme ended with a technical visit to Nalubaale Hydropower Plant in Jinja, where the delegation gained practical insights into the plant’s operations, its contribution to Uganda’s Electricity Generation mix, and the regulatory considerations associated with the operation and maintenance of hydropower facilities.
At the closing ceremony held at ERA House, the ERA Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako awarded certificates of completion to members of the SLEWRC delegation. In her remarks, she commended the participants for their active engagement throughout the programme. She noted that the exchange had provided an opportunity for mutual learning and strengthened the relationship between the two institutions. She reaffirmed ERA’s commitment to promoting cooperation and knowledge-sharing among African electricity regulators.
The delegation appreciated ERA’s sharing of its regulatory experience and expressed interest in further cooperation, including staff exchange programmes and the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two authorities. These proposed areas of collaboration provide a basis for continued engagement between ERA and SLEWRC beyond the capacity-building programme.