The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) successfully hosted the Inaugural Africa Electricity Symposium (AES) from 25th to 27th June 2025 at Mestil Hotel Kampala, under the theme “Powering Africa: Smart Innovations and Sustainable Energy for Growth.”
The Three-Day event brought together participants from across Africa and beyond, including policy makers, scholars, regulators, legal practitioners, and energy sector players sharing knowledge, experience on key developments, innovations, and challenges facing the electricity sub-sector in Africa.
The Symposium was officially opened by Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, who delivered a keynote address emphasizing the role of innovation, policy coherence, and regional integration in accelerating Africa’s energy transition. She was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
In her welcoming remarks, ERA Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, emphasized ERA’s commitment to championing knowledge-based regulation and regional collaboration. She noted that the Symposium provided a platform to share thought leadership, sectoral research, and best practices in advancing access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity in Africa.
The Symposium featured a rich programme of peer-reviewed research presentations, case studies, and thought leadership sessions discussing cross-cutting issues in electricity access, policy, regulation, and sustainability, all aligned with the six thematic areas:
- Regional Power Markets and Infrastructure Security
- Energy Storage, Smart Grids, and Digital Innovations
- Decentralized and Off-Grid Energy Solutions
- Energy Transition, Sustainability, and Carbon Financing
- Financing and Investment in Electricity Access
- Policy, Regulation, and Governance in the Power Sector
Highlights from the Symposium
Day One featured legal practitioners discussing the role of law in enabling a just energy transition, including regulatory innovations supporting regional markets and decentralized energy systems.
Day Two began with a keynote address by Prof. Perez Ignacio (Florence School of Regulation), who discussed the role of effective regulation in achieving smart and sustainable energy development across Africa.
Presentations by distinguished scholars such as Prof. Muyiwa Samuel Adaramola (Norwegian University of Life Sciences), Prof. Vijay Modi (Columbia University), and Prof. David Ato Quansah (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology) addressed the integration of policy, engineering, and finance for energy sustainability. Local universities, including Makerere, Kyambogo, Gulu, Mbarara, and Soroti, and other institutions of higher learning were also represented.
ERA also launched the first-ever Lead Agency State of the Environment Report, officiated by a representative from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The day ended with a stimulating Oxford-style debate titled:
“This House believes that Africa’s Energy Future depends more on Political Will than Technological Innovation,” engaging legal and media professionals in a lively exchange.
Day Three focused on cybersecurity and digital resilience. It was opened by Hon. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), who spoke on balancing innovation and risk in intelligent power systems. Discussions centered on cyber threats, grid modernization, and the future of smart electricity infrastructure.
The Symposium concluded with the birth of first ever Youth Energy Summit Uganda Chapter aimed at equipping and empowering youth to participate actively in Africa’s energy future.