The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the World Bank have convened a two-day meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, to discuss ways to enhance electricity access in African countries. The meeting, which started on November 2, 2026, brings together representatives from COMESA member states, energy experts, and development partners. The partnership aims to support African countries in improving their electricity access plans using location-based data and technology.
The partnership is part of the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Eastern and Southern Africa (ASCENT) program, which seeks to accelerate access to sustainable and clean energy in the region. The program is aligned with the Mission 300 goal of providing electricity to 300 million people in Africa. Dr. Ahmed Abdallah, a COMESA energy expert, said that the program aims to help countries identify the most effective and affordable ways to expand electricity access.
One of the major challenges facing African countries is the lack of reliable and sufficient data, as well as limited capacity to use technology in energy planning. Dr. Abdallah explained that location-based data can help identify areas where people live, where existing electricity infrastructure is located, and where it is needed. This information enables countries to make informed decisions about electricity access, rather than relying on assumptions.
Jana Ryšánková, representing the World Bank, emphasized that electricity access planning should not be a one-time exercise, but rather an ongoing process that takes into account changes in population and technological advancements. She cited the example of mesh grid technology, which allows for the provision of electricity through small, interconnected networks.
Vivien Foster, representing Climate Compatible Growth (CCG), highlighted the importance of collaboration between researchers and decision-makers to ensure that research and expertise are used to develop and implement energy access plans. Kenta Usui from the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) stressed the importance of location-based data in identifying areas where electricity is needed.
Rwandan participants, including Jovine Nsekanabanga from the Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EDCL), noted that while Rwanda has made progress in electricity planning, there is still room for improvement. Rudolf Yeganyan, leading the CCG capacity-building team, explained that the workshop aims to help countries assess their current energy planning capacity.
The meeting's organizers emphasized that using reliable data, strengthening country capacity, and fostering regional cooperation are crucial to improving electricity access planning, reducing costs, and increasing access to electricity. The meeting's outcomes are expected to contribute to Rwanda's goal of achieving 100% electricity coverage by 2029.
Key points
- The partnership between COMESA and the World Bank aims to support African countries in improving their electricity access plans using location-based data and technology.
