6th March 2026
A major step toward regional energy integration in Africa has been realized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Independent Regulatory Board of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The agreement, signed in late February 2026 in Harare, Zimbabwe, marks a new phase of regulatory cooperation between the two regional electricity markets.
The partnership seeks to foster a more coordinated, transparent, and reliable cross-border electricity market across Eastern and Southern Africa. Central to the MoU is the harmonization of regulatory frameworks, technical standards, and market rules to ease electricity trading between member states. By aligning procedures and compliance mechanisms, the two power pools aim to dismantle long-standing barriers that have constrained efficient power exchange and market integration.
Enhanced regulatory coordination is expected to strengthen grid stability and attract greater investment in energy infrastructure. A more interconnected market will allow surplus-generating countries to export electricity to neighbors facing shortages, thereby balancing regional supply and demand. This integrated approach can reduce power deficits, improve energy security, optimize existing generation assets, and lower overall system costs. The agreement also emphasizes institutional capacity building and knowledge exchange. Prior to the signing, an EAPP delegation visited SAPP facilities to study its operational systems, market monitoring tools, and compliance mechanisms—areas where SAPP is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most advanced regional power markets.
Importantly, the cooperation aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision for a fully integrated African Single Electricity Market. Strengthening interconnections between the Eastern and Southern power corridors lays critical groundwork for broader continental integration. Greater market connectivity is also expected to accelerate renewable energy deployment, enabling regions rich in solar, wind, and hydropower resources to supply clean electricity to high-demand areas. Overall, the MoU signals a shared commitment to building a more stable, affordable, and interconnected electricity market capable of driving sustainable economic growth and expanding energy access across Africa.